The grass isn't all that is green at Wimbledon

The All England Lawn Tennis Club is making a real effort to make tennis sustainable.

Image by Alysia Georgiades

Wimbledon is back, and it’s greener than ever.

Not just because of the lush grass causing chaos for the players, but because the All England Club just celebrated its first Environment Day.

Marked on day four of the Championships, it simply showcases the environmental efforts SW19 is making, and the plans in place to become net zero and environment positive by 2030.

What does that mean? Well, rather than simply have no impact on the planet, Wimbledon want to benefit it, which is why their actions include using electric lawnmowers on the grass, reusable cups for a thirst-quenching drink, and a living Green Wall. Yes, really.

The wall was unveiled in 2019 along the No. 1 Court, framing the large screen those on Henman Hill watch matches from. It is made up of plants and flowers that blossom during The Championships, that also provide a home for all sorts of insects and creatures.

Throughout the year the well-groomed grounds are insulated with mulch from garden waste so less watering is needed, while food waste that cannot be used is turned into agricultural and horticultural compost.

The Green Wall on No.1 Court making its debut at the 2019 Championships. Image by Alysia Georgiades

Along with water fountains scattered all around the grounds for visitors to refill bottles, reusable cups have been introduced this year to avoid producing 500,000 pieces of single-use plastic. So anyone enjoying a glass of Pimm’s or some summer squash simply ‘dispose’ of their cup on their way out so it can be used again and again across the two weeks of play.

Along the line of food and drink, Wimbledon’s iconic strawberries and cream are no longer served in clear plastic bowls. Instead, boxes made from sustainably sourced card hold the classic snack for visitors to enjoy.

But it’s not just the spectators who will notice these changes. Players get their rackets re-wired on site, which used to be returned to them in clear plastic covers. But not anymore.

Andy Murray has gone even further this year by collaborating with Castore to make AMC, a line of professional activewear made from regenerated nylon and recycled yarn in small eco-friendly mills in Italy.

Even the ball boys, linesmen and behind-the-scenes staff are encouraged to make use of the new uniform return scheme, meaning less clothing will need to be made for future staff.

You would think an organisation who doesn’t send any waste to landfill (anything that cannot be recycled is turned into energy for the National Grid), aquires local and sustainably sourced food, and sends players to and from the grounds in electric coaches would have little left to do by 2030. But they know there is more work to be done, and are committed to making it happen.

Within nine years renewable energy will be produced at AELTC, who will work with brands to reduce single-use plastic, enhance biodiversity in the area and educate visitors, to name just a few of the goals they are hoping to reach.

So from understanding your carbon-footprint when you visit Wimbledon, to seeing even more living walls around the tennis courts, expect The Championships to not only become greener, but more vibrant. Supporting life we rarely see and making changes we hardly notice. It is these actions and goals that will allow the historic tournament to remain one of the most-loved in sport for years to come.