SEPT. 10, 2019 – SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Expanding its commitment to hosting the largest zero waste sporting event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is the first PGA TOUR tournament to join the United Nations Climate Change Sports for Climate Action international collaboration. The Sports for Climate Action Framework was signed by title sponsor Waste Management and Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament hosts, The Thunderbirds, placing the event alongside other leading sports organizations participating, including the International Olympic Committee, the National Basketball Association (NBA), the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the US Tennis Association.

The tournament will embrace and advance the principles established by the Sports for Climate Action Framework including promoting environmental responsibility, reducing climate impact, educating participants around climate action, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption, and advocating for climate action.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open already implements a comprehensive sustainability program to manage impacts from materials, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Waste Management also measures all operations, reduces impacts where possible, and balances the entire tournament’s water and carbon footprint.

“The Waste Management Phoenix Open is leading in sustainable sport, producing a zero waste event since 2013,” said Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish. “Signing this commitment to Sports for Climate Action is an extension of the many ways we continue to take action for the betterment of our planet.”

“Our partnership with our title sponsor Waste Management has allowed us to do some remarkable things and create a working model for sustainable sport,” said The Thunderbirds Big Chief Chance Cozby. “We’re extremely proud to continue our leadership role in this space and look forward to affecting real change.”

In January, Waste Management announced the extension of its title sponsorship of the Waste Management Phoenix open through 2030, and a new marketing relationship as the Official Environmental Services Provider of the PGA TOUR. The Waste Management Phoenix Open publishes an annual sustainability report and shares zero waste event best practices at https://wmphoenixopen.com/sustainability/. To learn about Waste Management’s commitment to sustainability, visit https://sustainability.wm.com/.

The UN Climate Change brings sports organizations and their stakeholders together to join this new climate action for sport movement that will set the trajectory and provide support for sport to play a winning role in achieving global climate change goals. For more information, visit https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/sports-for-climate-action.

About Waste Management
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides collection, transfer, disposal services, and recycling and resource recovery. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The Company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management, visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.

About Waste Management Phoenix Open
The 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be held at TPC Scottsdale January 27 – February 2, 2020. “The People’s Open” has been named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR three times in the last five years (2014, 2015 and 2018) and has gained legendary status for being one the most unique events in golf. The 2020 edition will mark the 85th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 11th as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

About The Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 280 “life” members. The Thunderbirds raised a record $13.2 million for charity from proceeds from the 2019 WM Phoenix Open and have eclipsed $147 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932. For more information on The Thunderbirds or the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

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