Veolia PPA Sustainable Tournaments: Veolia has reached the midpoint of its three-year partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) to make tournaments more eco-friendly. The company has cut waste, boosted recycling, and introduced new sustainability programs at PPA events across the country.
The partnership, announced in February, supports pickleball’s rapid growth while reducing the sport’s environmental footprint. Veolia serves as the official sustainability provider for the PPA and has already achieved measurable results at tournaments for players, fans, and host communities.
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Key Sustainability Efforts
Veolia has reduced single-use plastics by installing hydration stations for refillable bottles, preventing more than 33,000 plastic bottles from entering landfills. The company also produced the first upcycled trophy in professional pickleball using 100 percent sustainable materials, including recycled acrylic from old windshields and signage, and bio-based 3D prints.
Specially marked bins at tournaments collect used pickleballs, which are donated to local community organizations or converted into fuel for cement kilns at Veolia’s Wisconsin facility. Veolia also partners with local communities, PPA staff, and players to host river cleanups and youth sustainability workshops at events.
Growing Popularity and Upcoming Tournament
Pickleball’s popularity continues to surge, with ticket sales up 101 percent and TV ratings growing 20 times since early 2024. From September 8 through 14, Cincinnati, Ohio, will host the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase, where top players will compete while sustainability programs continue.
Veolia, headquartered in Boston, provides water, waste, and energy services across industries. The company hopes to use its work with the PPA as a model for sustainable sports management that could expand to other sports nationwide.
News in Brief: Veolia PPA Sustainable Tournaments
Veolia is halfway through its three-year sustainability partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association. The company has cut over 33,000 plastic bottles from landfills, created upcycled trophies, and set up recycling programs for used pickleballs. Upcoming events, including the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase, continue these efforts to promote eco-friendly sports practices.
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