Liverpool FC announced today it is implementing a ‘closed loop recycling model’ to deal with the half a million plastic bottles used at its stadium every season. As one of the world’s most famous football clubs – Liverpool has supporters clubs in more than 100 countries, and tens of millions of followers on social media – this global sporting institution has the communication power to raise awareness about the need for a winning circular economy.
The English Premier League (EPL) giants have called their new partnership with SC Johnson, who will repurpose the plastic bottles, Goals for Change, with further sustainability initiatives planned across the club’s communities in Asia and Latin America.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”
Nelson Mandela
“We launched our sustainability programme the Red Way earlier this year and made a commitment to make a positive difference to our people, our communities and our planet. SC Johnson has made important step changes within their industry which have delivered incredible results through several sustainability initiatives,” said Matt Scammell, Commercial Director at LFC.
He added: “I feel very optimistic about the work we can do together through this partnership, both raising awareness and looking after the safety of our supporters and ultimately using our voices for good to help the next generation of Reds all around the world.”
World’s greenest game
The EPL has a global audience of billions, making it a communication powerhouse with few rivals. And it is increasingly using that reach to promote a just transition to a sustainable future.
This weekend the EPL, Sky television and Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) FC, are teaming up to showcase and inspire climate action. When Spurs host London rivals Chelsea on 19 September supporters will witness what is being branded the first ever ‘net zero carbon football game at an elite level’. It is a game, Spurs say, that ‘will educate football fans on the role the sport they love can play in addressing climate change and demonstrate how they can take positive actions to reduce their own carbon footprint’.
“#GameZero demonstrates the steps that fans, the sporting world & broadcasters can take towards a zero-carbon future. Don’t miss the world’s first major net zero match on 19 September,” the official account for #COP26 tweeted.
Sport can reach huge numbers of people. And when it comes to football, the English game, home to the world’s greenest football club, has one of the loudest voices – and it is choosing to use it to champion sustainability.
The post You will never recycle alone first appeared on Innovators magazine.