Wilson’s main mission, of course, was to produce a premium line of racquets to help both recreational players and touring pros boost their games. Success has been swift. Just ask Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Serena and Venus Williams, all of whom have won Grand Slams wielding [K] Factor racquets. But Wilson also realized that the manufacturing process for these frames, which is based around nanotechnology, afforded the company a unique and substantial opportunity to reduce by over 15 tons the chemical solvents formerly used in creating racquets. This, in turn, allows Wilson to reduce its impact on the planet.

It may not be “sexy” to discuss the intricacies of Wilson’s manufacturing process, and it may be impossible to come up with a snazzy sound bite for a publicist, but then, that’s exactly the point as far as Wilson’s concerned. Tangible results, not sloganeering, are at the heart of the company’s Green Initiative.

“We should all push for real changes that have a positive impact on the environment,” says Jon Muir, general manager of Wilson Racquet Sports.

Announced last year, the Green Initiative goes well beyond the environmentally friendly manufacturing of [K] Factor racquets. Wilson is committed to developing environmentally responsible products and manufacturing procedures across its racquet-brand categories. So if you’re someone who insists on buying green products, Wilson is your go-to option.

Take Wilson tennis ball cans. They are made from at least 25 percent of postconsumer recycled material and are 100% recyclable. Net result: Wilson estimates that it will reduce landfi ll wastes by approximately 400,000 pounds in 2008. This isn’t PR—it’s positive change, real results. Wilson’s ultimate goal is to produce tennis ball cans made of 100 percent recyclable material. Sounds simple, but it does pose certain challenges, such as producing material that’s strong enough to maintain the can’s structural integrity and appropriate ball pressure. Like Wilson player Roger Federer, Wilson is up to the challenge. It’s also already replaced non-recyclable PVC packaging for strings and accessories with 100 percent biodegradable materials. (That goes for the packaging of non-tennis products, too, such as racquetball gloves.)

Wilson also believes that less is more, as it’s using economical packaging to reduce overall waste. Even some of its famed racquets, such as Federer’s [K] Factor Six.One Tour, are no longer sold with a racquet-head cover. Although head covers are popular, they aren’t recyclable—or even necessary. It’s advanced players who’ll want to use something like the Six.One Tour, and it’s precisely these players who typically purchase a larger racquet bag to hold multiple sticks, rendering a head cover for each one superfluous.
“We’ve been quietly working on implementing a number of important changes to our production and manufacturing processes over the past year,” Muir says, “and we felt it was time to make both the industry and consumers aware of our Green Initiative. We challenge the industry to follow our lead.”
For tennis players, it’s nice to know that you can purchase products that not only raise your game but also contribute to a larger, worthier cause. It’s what they call a win-win.
 

TOP AND BOTTOM: Eco-friendly manufacturing allowed Wilson to reduce the use of chemical solvents when producing the frames for its [K] Factor racquets.

ABOVE: At least a quarter of each Wilson tennis ball can is made of post-consumer recycled material.