Over the past three years on the golf course the partnership has successfully eliminated the need for single use plastic bottles, preventing them from entering landfill and contributing to environmental degradation. This accomplishment aligns with No More Bottles’ commitment to reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly alternatives.

A noteworthy highlight of the collaboration is The Els Club’s recognition at the prestigious World Golf Awards where The Els Club had won “The Best Middle East Golf Course Award”.

The Els Club dedication to sustainability, with No More Bottles as a key partner, also played a pivotal role in securing the club’s first ever Sustainability Star Award Winner. These prestigious accolades acknowledges the success of The Els Club’s commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.

In celebration of this milestone, The Els Club & No More Bottles are fully committed to continue implementing a series of sustainability initiatives, including the installation of state-of-the-art water dispensers. These dispensers offer members and guests a range of refreshing options, including complimentary filtered water and sparkling, ambient water and hot water. The availability of these choices not only enhances the overall experience for golf enthusiasts but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible golfing environment.

The statistics speak for themselves – the implementation of No More Bottles’ sustainable water solutions has resulted in a significant reduction in plastic waste at The Els Club. Through the use of reusable bottles and the elimination of single-use plastic bottles, the venue has achieved a 73% reduction in its overall environmental footprint and removing circa 240,000 single use plastic bottles over a three-year period

“We are incredibly proud to commemorate three years of collaboration with No More Bottles” said Tom Rourke General Manager, The Els Club. “Together, we’ve not only elevated The Els Club as a premier golf destination but have also set a standard for environmental responsibility in the golfing community.

“Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our achievements, from eliminating 240,000 plastic bottles to being honoured with the Best Middle East Golf Course Award at the World Golf Awards. This Sustainability Star Award is a testament to our dedication, with No More Bottles playing a vital role in our success. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our commitment to implementing sustainable initiatives that contribute to a greener future for golf enthusiasts and the environment.”

“It’s been an inspiring journey collaborating with The Els Club over the past three years, and we are thrilled to mark this significant anniversary” said Ian Hannah Co-Founder & Director of No More Bottles.

“Our shared commitment to sustainability has not only eliminated a substantial number of plastic bottles but has also garnered recognition at the highest level with The Els Club’s prestigious awards. The success of our partnership is reflected in the reduction of plastic waste, showcasing the impact of No More Bottles’ sustainable water solutions, especially as the focus in this region shifts to COP28 which is being hosted for the first time in the UAE.”

As No More Bottles and The Els Club celebrate three years of successful collaboration, both organisations express their gratitude to members, guests, and staff for their commitment to sustainability. The journey towards a greener future continues, with ongoing initiatives and innovations that will further solidify The Els Club’s position as a leader in eco-conscious golfing.

Image: The Els Club Dubai

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The MENA Tour by Arena has claimed bragging rights as the first sports organisation in the UAE to halt the consumption of ‘single-use’ plastic bottles at its tournaments. Australian professional Daniel Gaunt, who captured the Al Zorah Open in Feb., was rolled out at Yas Links on Sunday as the circuit’s (probably unwitting) anti-plastic poster boy.

CRUSHING IT!!

We think it is safe to presume that @Gauntgolf is not a big fan of single-use plastic water bottles!!
Starting this week at the Abu Dhabi Open by Arena at @yaslinksgc, the MENA Tour by @arenagroup_plc is going plastic-free.#sustainability pic.twitter.com/Ma4OT9WVt5

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 6, 2019

As part of its just upgraded sponsorship of the MENA Tour, Arena Middle East & Asia has given each player at this week’s Abu Dhabi Open by Arena a steel water bottle. The Abu Dhabi-based arm of Arena Group, a global provider of turnkey structures for the “most prestigious occasions in the global calendar”, has also put up refill stations around Yas Links to keep the field suitably hydrated.

?????? https://t.co/QW2C1DJBkz

— Sam Hobday (@sam_hobday) October 6, 2019

The MENA Tour joins The Track, Meydan Golf in Dubai and Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah in saying no to single-use plastics, a movement that is gaining global traction.

The Track, Meydan Golf stopped adding plastic bottles to its carts on October 1, instead encouraging players to bring their own aluminium bottles with them to the nine-hole pay-to-play course to “contribute towards this cause”. In a flyer, the Troon International-managed course said it had increased the number of dispensers offering “chilled” water around the layout and would also offer a 50 percent discount on Track, Meydan Golf-branded re-usable aluminium bottles for green fee players who didn’t already own one of the canisters, bringing the cost down to just AED 15.

“The Track, Meydan Golf will be supporting the #GoGreen #SayNoToPlastic campaigns. We would like to contribute towards this cause by taking decisions and more responsible steps for the environment,” the club said.

“In order to sustain the planet’s natural resources and making the planet a better place for our current and future generations, the first step is reducing the plastic waste going into our planet. Thank you for your understanding and for helping reduce the amount of plastic waste being generated.”

Al Hamra G.C. has taken the #GoGreen initiative a step further by becoming the first golf club in the Middle East to eliminate all single-use plastic items from its premises. In addition to ditching plastic bottles, plastic straws, stirrers and take away containers have also been given the red card.

The club has partnered with the UAE-based ‘No More Bottles’ in introducing high-quality water filtration solutions across the par-72 layout and has replaced all plastic water bottles with branded glass alternatives for members and guests to use. The bottles will be cleaned, sterilised and refilled with the help of advanced environmentally-friendly filtration units.

“At Al Hamra, we are committed to preserving the environment and promoting environmental best practices,” said Christopher Hewett, Vice President-Hospitality and Leisure at Al Hamra Group.

Al Hamra’s new glass bottles will be cleaned, sterilised and refilled with the help of advanced environmentally-friendly filtration units.

“The decision by Al Hamra Golf Club to eliminate single-use plastic, thereby becoming the first golf club in the region to do so, serves as a role model on how positive sustainability initiatives can be integrated. The move is even more laudable as it underlines the commitment of the club to conserve its ecosystem, given its location by the Arabian Gulf and the Al Hamra Lagoon. The decision makes Al Hamra Golf Club a true pioneer in championing environmental sustainability.”

Al Hamra G.C. will focus on achieving its sustainability goals by installing innovative ‘Waterlogic’ water dispensers to their main water supply. No More Bottles claim the “advanced antimicrobial water purification systems fitted with UV Firewall” effectively wipe out impurities and cleanse pathogens from the water by up to “99.99 percent”.

The implementation of the new initiative extends throughout the golf club’s food and beverage outlets with guests to be offered the option of unlimited filtered water in glass bottles at a nominal cost.

“No More Bottles are delighted to announce our partnership with Al Hamra Golf Club as they work to achieve their sustainability goals,” said Carol Fraser, Managing Director of No More Bottles.

“It is always great to see another organisation supporting a cause so close to our own. We are working towards reducing plastic bottles by distributing high-quality filtration systems across the UAE and we are proud that Al Hamra Golf Club has joined us in our efforts.”

Starting this week, and with a little help from our sponsors @arenagroup_plc, the @theMENATour is saying NO to the ‘single use’ plastic water bottles. #Sustainability pic.twitter.com/Omg1ixppd4

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 6, 2019

The post MENA Tour go green, join The Track and Al Hamra G.C. in banning single-use plastic bottles appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.