Golf Circularity 2030
A Circular Economy Sport
THE VISION
To establish golf as a circular economy sport,
where sustainability is at the core of every practice.
What is golf's circular economy?
A circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible – from designing with longevity in mind, to recovering products at the end of their life.
Golf ball recycling is a prime example of a circular economy in action. Unwanted golf balls are picked up, shredded then repurposed into other products, while reusable balls support junior golf programs.
This process eliminates the need for dumping golf balls into landfills, and instead creates a new resource from would-be waste to extend the life of golf balls.
Golf balls are just one example of a golf related resource that can be reused, recycled and repurposed.
Why does golf's circularity matter?
The carbon footprint of one golf ball is around 0.79kg of CO2 emissions.
That’s equivalent to the weight of approximately 19 golf balls.
If you could see CO2, 0.79kg of it would equal:
- One golf ball that’s 0.92m (diameter); or
- 6,080 regular sized golf balls.
Line up 6,080 golf balls, and that’s about 255 metres – short par 4!
With the average golfer losing 3-4 balls a round, that’s roughly 3.16kg of CO2 emission produced per game, per person from their golf balls alone.
A circular economy is more than just recycling.
The road to circularity requires a whole industry approach, including:
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
How can the golf industry achieve circularity?
Circularity cannot be achieved in isolation.
To create a true circular economy we need to engage all stakeholders. This includes everyone involved from golf courses, driving ranges, retailers, manufacturers and government authorities.
Collaboration is the crucial key for the success of circularity. From everyday golfers to industry decision makers across manufacturing and governing sectors, everyone can play an active role in the sustainable future of golf.
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
Roadmap to Circularity
GBR’s circular economy framework integrates the principles of a circular approach, with the aim of reducing golf’s environmental footprint while supporting global sustainability objectives.
Key Principles of Golf’s Circular Economy
- Minimise waste and pollution.
- Extend the useful life of products and materials.
- Create opportunities for products and materials to be reused or repurposed for as long as possible.
- Eliminate the use of chemicals.
- Regenerate natural systems and resources by changing the way environment is managed through sustainable course management and mapping.
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
Mapping and Auditing
In collaboration with leaders in their field, environmental course mapping captures and records historical imagery and information. Through auditing and investigation of environmental health and safety, this will increase awareness and deliver compliance.
GBR provides a site-specific, deep dive analysis of current golf operations to help identify and develop best practices across environmental sustainability. Existing environmental information is captured to assist participating businesses in taking the necessary steps needed to streamline their waste management processes and procedures.
Education and Training
Education and training across environmental health and safety for businesses to ensure their key staff members are up to date with industry changes and innovations.
All training undertaken is recorded and stored within the secure database where members can access information related to their training and download relevant documentation.
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a comprehensive set of 17 goals that act as a call to action to promote prosperity while protecting people and the planet.
Though we are mindful of all 17 SDGs, GBR is aligned and committed to the following:
9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Through aligned partnerships and collaborations, GBR focuses on Target 9.2 and 9.4 to explore and introduce sustainable innovation and solutions, ultimately turning golf related waste into a resource.
We aim to increase resource-use efficiency and prioritise green transition.
11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
To safeguard biodiversity and protect the natural environment on which golf courses inhabit, GBR offers Environmental Course Management (ECM) and Course Mapping to transition from chemical use to a biological program.
The end goal is to positively affect native plant species and local fauna.
12: Responsible Consumption and Production
By supporting the golf industry with sustainable best practice and education, GBR empowers organisations to take personal responsibility for change.
We aim to support Target 11.6 and 11.7 to reduce environmental impact across the golf industry while increasing access to safe, inclusive and accessible green spaces.
13: Climate Action
By providing access to impactful education, relevant documents, and identifying key environmental areas of improvement, GBR creates opportunities for action to take place and solutions to be generated.
We also align with R&A’s Golf Course 2030 initiative to manage golf’s impact on climate change.
14: Life Below Water
Focused on significantly reducing marine pollution through our initiatives:
- Golf ball recycling program.
- Innovative stormwater filtration solutions.
- Audits of golf course processes and management.
15: Life On Land
To safeguard biodiversity and protect the natural environment on which golf courses inhabit, GBR offers Environmental Course Management (ECM) and Course Mapping to transition from chemical use to a biological program.
The end goal is to positively affect native plant species and local fauna.
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
Environmental Heroes and Champions
Anyone can be an Environmental Hero. They are best described as people who make conscious decisions to create change and difference in the way they go about their day-to-day activities. This could be by simply bringing a reusable cup when buying a takeaway coffee or separating your household rubbish to make sure that everything can be recycled is placed in the correct bins.
An Environmental Champion is a business (e.g. retailer, manufacturer, industry leader or governing body) who helps make a difference by changing the way they carry out their business to align with the key principles of a circular economy.
By making these changes, they lead the way and show everyone within the golf industry that it can be done. These Environmental Champions become the leaders of golf’s circular economy and help spread the message globally.
CIRCULARITY SOLUTIONS
Championing Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is at the core of Golf Circularity Group. We recognise the responsibility of protecting the planet for future generations and the importance of preserving our natural resources.
Our Commitment
Golf Circularity Group is dedicated to environmental responsibility on, and off, the course while actively contributing to the paradigm shift in sustainable golf.
We’re committed to:
- Minimising greenhouse emissions.
- Increasing renewal energy usage.
- Improving water management.
- Reducing landfills.
- Increasing recycling.
- Environmental Course Management (ECM).
- Ecotick Certification.
ACTION PLAN
We invite you to join us in achieving our vision of a more environmentally sustainable future for golf.
Together we can make golf the first circular economy sport.
What can you do right now?
Sign up for the following services:
- Golf ball recycling bin collection service
- Materials Management Planning.
- Environmental Course Mapping.
- Environmental Course Management (ECM).
- Special sustainability projects.
Taking the next step
A circular economy is the future for golf. You can make a difference.
Contact us to discuss:
✉ sales@golfballrecycling.com.au
🕿 AU +61 1300 427 319
🕿 NZ +64 0800 427 319
