A large quantity of discarded camping gear, including tents and sleeping bags, has accumulated in Wimbledon Park, adjacent to the All England Club, following the famous Wimbledon Queue tradition. Thousands of tennis fans camp overnight in the park each year to secure on-the-day tickets for the Championships. The designated donation point has become overwhelmed with crumpled tents, deflated air mattresses, duvets, and pillows, leaving volunteers and stewards to manage the substantial pile after the queue-goers depart.
While some reusable tents are salvaged by charities like the British Red Cross, much of the bedding and damaged equipment is used only once before being discarded. A staff member described some campers as "lazy," noting that many simply abandon their belongings at the donation site rather than taking them home. Another steward characterized some campers as "selfish" for dumping their items without considering the cleanup efforts.
John, who collects usable tents for the British Red Cross, stated that the number of perfectly good tents left behind is significant, reporting that he collected 35 usable tents on a single Tuesday. These tents are taken to a charity shop in Wandsworth for resale. However, items like pillows and duvets cannot be resold due to health and safety regulations and are consequently thrown away. The British Red Cross makes three collections during the tournament, but new piles of discarded items quickly form.
At its peak, the Wimbledon Queue can accommodate around 10,000 people. "It is so wasteful, they have only been used about once," John commented on the disposable nature of the camping equipment. Some potential ticket-seekers considered taking items from the donation pile to save money but were deterred by the condition of the gear. One 18-year-old, Tom Finn, took a tent and air mattresses from the donation area but found the experience unhygienic due to the messy state of the pile.
Jack Um, from Scotland, opted to purchase his own tent for £30, deciding against using the donation area after researching and learning about potential competition for resources. "It is sad that people are just using their tent once, it is not good for the environment," he said, expressing his intention to take his tent home. Sally Jones, a visitor who did not camp overnight, found the state of the donation area disappointing, calling it "selfish" behavior that negatively impacts the environment.
Jonathan Morrish, of the campaign group Save The Park, noted that the increasing size of the Queue contributes to a growing waste problem. He criticized the reluctance of some attendees to pay for luggage storage and a perceived lack of enforcement by organizers. "Sadly much of the rubbish is being dumped in the rest of the park for which Wimbledon does not take responsibility," he added.
A spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) stated that all unclaimed items in good condition are donated to charities and community groups, specifically those working to prevent homelessness. The AELTC affirmed that no items are sent to landfill, aligning with their overall waste management system for the entire site.