A biodegradable product used by every golfer around the world just became more green-friendly. PrideSports, a Brentwood, Tennessee-based wooden golf tee manufacturer, has announced an eco-partnership with Portland, Maine-based International WoodFuels (IWF) to share production facilities at Pride’s Burnham, Maine manufacturing facility.

For many years, PrideSports’ Burnham manufacturing plant has met its goal of producing “Near Zero” wood waste. In fact, over 99% of the wood bi-products created from producing billions of golf tees are reclaimed and reused to create energy in the plant or is recycled for other industries. Now, the partnership with IWF will allow a significant amount of this bi-product to be turned into renewable-energy wood pellets that will be used to heat homes, schools and businesses that would have otherwise burned fossil fuels.

As a result of the partnership, PrideSports and IWF will combine to save up to 133,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Additionally, the proximity of the IWF facility will eliminate the need to transport these products and will conserve thousands of gallons of diesel fuel annually.