Sustainable golf, a pledge for greener greens

• Integrated materials and resource handling and recycling programme
• Savings of nearly € 30 000 per year thanks to new waste-management approach 

Since opening in 2003, Dundonald Links on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast has been committed to a wide range of environmental policies and proactive measures to help protect and sustain the local, national, and global environment. The company's 'sustainable golf' pledge covers a variety of products and materials coming onto the site and being used on the course and in the clubhouse, and there is an ongoing challenge to prevent waste generated through the club’s activities from going to landfill.

Dundonald Links' waste management policy, introduced in conjunction with its parent company's (Loch Lomond Golf Club), was informed by an external audit carried out by Zero Waste Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and recycling and resource company William Tracey Group. Broadly, the goal is to reduce, reuse and recycle waste generated on-site through systems and procedures implemented across all departments.

Following a waste audit, which gathered data on different waste streams and where they all went, the golf course was able to identify a number of specific measures. These include reusing paper, cardboard, packaging and metals where possible. Introducing separate bins for recycling materials (glass, paper, cardboard, packaging) also means less waste going to landfill. They also recycle lubricating oils, cooking oil, food waste and other organic waste which is composted.  

On the links, green waste such as grass clippings and wood material are stored and screened for recycling. This has resulted in 3 000 tonnes of topsoil, which is used for course repairs and developments. The greens team has also made new course signs from old wooden railway sleepers.

Key results 

Thanks to a team effort and better end-to-end resource management, including purchasing and procurement practices, the golf course managed to reduce the amount of waste generated from glass, paper, cardboard, packaging, plastics, and food. Dundolad Links saves nearly € 30 000 per year as a result of this integrated approach to waste recycling.