2025 Principal Charity Classic sustainability report showcases award-winning progress
Earning two statewide honors and advancing the tournament’s long-term sustainability goals

 

(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Principal Charity Classic is proud to release its 2025 Sustainability Report, showcasing the tournament’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and youth-supporting philanthropy.

 

Key Achievements in 2025:

  • Waste Diversion and Reduction: The tournament achieved a record 57.35% waste diversion rate, up from 23.7% in 2024. Of the 36 total tons of waste generated, over 21.5 tons were successfully diverted from landfill through food donation, composting, recycling, and specialty recovery streams such as carpet and mesh recycling.
  • Community Engagement: In its second year, the Pedal to PCC program continued to grow as a key initiative to reduce the carbon footprint associated with fan transportation.

“The tournament and Principal have really made sustainability a core focus, and it’s been amazing to help build and grow that commitment each year,” said Blue Strike Environmental National Sustainability Program Manager Riley Bahr. “Between Pedal to PCC and the Sustainability Grove, sustainability has become something front and center for spectators, not just something happening behind the scenes.”

 

In conjunction with the release of the 2025 Principal Charity Classic sustainability report, the tournament is pleased to highlight two honors earned over the past year:

  • 2025 Sustainability Initiative Award (Large Market) from Iowa Travel Industry Partners (iTIP) for leadership in waste reduction, clean energy use and community sustainability.
  • 2025 Business/Organization of the Year Award from Iowa Recycling Association recognizing the event’s excellence in recycling, material diversion and circular-economy practices.

 

“These awards reflect the hard work of our team and partners to make the tournament more environmentally responsible each year,” said Tournament Director Alex McCarty. “We’re honored to be recognized by iTIP and the Iowa Recycling Association and are excited to keep raising the bar.”

 

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About the Principal Charity Classic
The Principal Charity Classic is an annual PGA TOUR Champions event hosted in Des Moines, Iowa, and is dedicated to investing in the future of Iowa youth. Since 2007, the tournament has raised more than $73 million for Iowa children’s charities, including a record-breaking $10.6 million in 2025 alone. Funds support organizations focused on education and culture, financial security and stability, and health and wellness for Iowa youth.

For more information, visit principalcharityclassic.com, or follow the tournament on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/principalcharityclassic Twitter: @PCCTourney Instagram: @principalcharityclassic