THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson debuted compostable cups, straws, and cutlery in its just-concluded tournament as part of its broader zero-waste strategy. Leah Ford, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs at CJ Biomaterials, told Charity Journal that the tournament’s sustainability push revolved around building waste systems that prevent compostable materials from ending up in landfills.
PGA tournament expands zero-waste infrastructure
Tournament organizers partnered with CJ Biomaterials and WinCup’s phade® brand to deploy PHA-based compostable food serviceware throughout the PGA TOUR event, which drew more than 200,000 visitors.
The products appeared across hospitality suites, concession areas, and the tournament’s “House of CJ” experience center, replacing conventional plastic-based serviceware with certified compostable alternatives. The products are designed to biodegrade without generating persistent microplastics.
CJ Biomaterials, a South Korea-based biopolymer manufacturer focused on sustainable packaging materials, developed the PHACT™ PHA technology used in the rollout. The company says the materials biodegrade in marine and soil environments while also supporting home and commercial composting systems.
The tournament also implemented several broader environmental measures this year, including replacing diesel generators with battery-powered units and eliminating more than 8,000 gallons of fuel consumption through expanded electrical infrastructure investments.
“Golf fans can feel good knowing that every PHACT™ PHA cup, straw, and utensil they use during the event will fully break down after use, leaving no persistent microplastics behind,” said Max Senechal, Chief Commercial Officer at CJ Biomaterials.
The sustainability rollout reflects a wider push across large-scale sporting events to reduce waste footprints and strengthen environmental accountability. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games slashed its carbon footprint by a record 50% while the WM Phoenix Open has earned its stripes as the “Greenest Show on Grass.”
Waste collection systems become central to zero-waste goals at the CJ CUP
In an interview with Charity Journal, Ford noted that the success of the initiative depends less on the materials themselves and more on how tournament organizers structure waste collection and disposal systems.
“The key to successful zero waste programs begins in procurement,” Ford said. “Before we collect any materials, we need to make it easy for fans attending the event to be able to put their waste in the right bin.”
She said certified compostable materials improve the chances that composting facilities treat event waste as usable organic feedstock rather than contamination. The approach also aims to reduce the risk of persistent microplastics entering landfill systems after disposal.
There is a growing concern among environmental groups that compostable products alone do not guarantee sustainability outcomes unless organizers build collection and processing systems capable of handling those materials properly.
WinCup CEO Brad Laporte said the tournament gives consumers direct exposure to sustainable alternatives that increasingly compete with conventional plastics on performance and usability.
“Using the world’s most sustainable products doesn’t mean sacrificing an enjoyable user experience,” Laporte said.
The broader conversation around sustainable procurement and circular waste systems has also accelerated among nonprofits and local governments attempting to reduce single-use plastic dependence at public events and community programs.
CJ Biomaterials eyes broader community access to compostable products
CJ Biomaterials said broader affordability and accessibility remain long-term goals as production capacity for PHA-based foodware continues scaling.
Ford noted that the technology behind the compostable cups used at THE CJ CUP only recently became commercially available, limiting how quickly smaller organizations and community events can adopt the products.
“Once more converters are using our PHA technology for cup linings, cutlery, and straws, there will be more opportunities to assist the local community in procuring these products,” she said.
The company hopes increased manufacturing scale will eventually lower costs for local charities, smaller sporting events, and grassroots community organizations seeking alternatives to traditional plastic foodware.
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson’s rollout now positions the tournament as an early testing ground for whether compostable biopolymer systems can function effectively at the scale of a major international sporting event.