Manhattan Beach, Calif. – Aug. 18, 2022 - The AVP Gold Series Manhattan Beach Open is laser focused on sustainability thanks to the concerted effort of its organizer, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), and North America’s largest comprehensive waste management environmental solutions provider, WM.
As the AVP prepares for its largest and most prestigious event of the season, featuring the most comprehensive buildout of any event on the tour, it has enlisted the sustainability expertise of WM. WM’s Sports and Entertainment team started working with AVP in 2021 to design an environmental management strategy with the Manhattan Beach Open as a model tournament. The event, which runs Aug. 18-21 near the Manhattan Beach Pier, is working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, balance its water use, and divert a majority of its waste from landfills. AVP is working to set a standard for how major volleyball tournaments aspire to manage their footprint and use their platform to inspire change.
As a sport that is so closely tied to
our natural surroundings, it has always
been important to us to take
care of the environment.
- Al Lau
“We are excited to announce the AVP’s sustainability efforts in collaboration with WM,” said Al Lau, CEO of the AVP. “As a sport that is so closely tied to our natural surroundings, it has always been important to us to take care of the environment, and we’re thrilled that WM is helping us take actionable steps to achieve that goal.”
The event will track GHG emissions, use renewable energy to power some functions of the tournament, have a food-waste reduction program and participate in water restoration initiatives. This is in addition to the diversion of tournament waste through recycling, composting and reuse.
“The AVP Tour and WM are taking an important first step in the process for making beach volleyball tournaments sustainable and I’m excited and optimistic to see how this will grow in our sports community at large,” said Jeremy Casebeer, a professional player on the AVP Tour since 2008 and a climate responsible athlete.
At least 90 percent of waste generated
throughout the event will be reused,
recycled or otherwise recovered instead
of going to landfills.
- Eric Dixon
“We’re on the road to achieve zero waste at the Manhattan Beach Open,” said Eric Dixon, vice president, sustainability and environmental solutions for WM. “This means that at least 90 percent of waste generated throughout the event will be reused, recycled or otherwise recovered instead of going to landfills. While we may not hit the zero-waste threshold this year, we’re adding material diversion streams to get as close as possible. We’ll then assess and address areas for improvement next year and at tournaments across the Tour.”
The four-day tournament will also include informative signage helping attendees to manage waste properly, a WM mini-truck on display for kids, a center-court sorting challenge game that tests fans’ and players’ knowledge of proper recycling and more.
WM’s Sports and Entertainment team helps leagues, stadiums, teams and major events design and implement comprehensive sustainability programs. WM is now in its 13th year as title sponsor of the Phoenix Open, turning the largest-attended PGA TOUR stop into the most sustainability-minded sporting event in the world.
About the AVP
Powered by the most dynamic and elite athletes in the world, the Association of Volleyball Professionals is the globally recognized premier professional beach volleyball organization and longest-running domestic beach volleyball tour in the United States. Founded in 1983, the AVP has produced some of the world’s most beloved athletes, providing fans with unparalleled access to nail-biting matches on the sand. In 1996, beach volleyball became an official sport at the Olympic Games and the AVP proudly serves as the home court for Team USA’s Olympians. Headquartered in Southern California, the AVP operates a multi-tiered development system. The decorated AVP Pro Tour is the gold standard in beach volleyball, with over 100 professional athletes competing for top prize money in front of over 120 million fans worldwide AVP America spearheads a grassroots movement across the United States to curate thousands of events and matches for fans and players that are second to none. These events across the development pipeline reside within the AVPNext, AVP Grass & AVP Juniors platforms. AVPNext is the official developmental circuit providing athletes the opportunity to develop their skills and earn valuable AVP points to climb the rankings towards becoming a pro. AVP Grass is the premier series of grass volleyball events in the United States, consisting of the most iconic tournaments and elite competition. AVP Juniors strives to have the most comprehensive and recognized junior age group competitions in the country with National culminating events, as well as, regionally supported introductory tournaments. In an effort to grow the sport and celebrate those who love the game, AVPFirst, a 501(3)c program, is focused on creating healthy lifestyles and a lifelong connection to the sport by offering access to all. For more information on the Pro Tour, Membership and more, please visit avp.com and follow the AVP on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @avpbeach.
About WM
WM (WM.com) is North America’s largest comprehensive waste management environmental solutions provider. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them achieve their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials and is the leader in beneficial reuse of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes nearly 11,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet of its kind in North America – where more than half are fueled by renewable natural gas. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit sustainability.wm.com.