Soccer in England Illuminates Excessive Merchandise with Glowing Green Footballs
Kickin' It Green: The Eco-Friendly Evolution of Soccer
For the third year in a row, English soccer is taking a stand against climate change, transforming their annual Green Football Weekend into a multi-week sustainability initiative dubbed Green Football's Great Save. Running from March 11 until April 2, this season's focus is on reducing merchandise waste.
The devastating impact of professional soccer's carbon emissions has been under the spotlight, with a whopping 66 million tons of CO2e emitted annually. Two major culprits have been identified: sponsorships and air travel, but often overlooked is the significant contribution of merchandise waste. In the U.K. alone, a staggering 100,000 tons of sportswear end up in landfills each season, with clubs continuing to produce and hawk new gear season after season. Inspired by this hidden issue, over 100 Premier League, EFL, WSL, and SPFL clubs, along with their players, are urging fans to repurpose, donate, or sell their old jerseys rather than trashing them.
By keeping an old jersey for an extra nine months, fans can significantly reduce the carbon, water, and waste footprint by up to 30%. This commitment to sustainability not only aids in decarbonization efforts but also extends the life of something that holds immense cultural significance in a particular community.
As part of Green Football's Great Save, clubs hosting green games will provide donation bins for unused gear, offer kit repair workshops, and donate upcycled jerseys to local hospitals. Students at schools will even have an opportunity to learn to repair their favorite jerseys through sewing classes.
Fans participating in this eco-friendly movement will be rewarded for their efforts. donating or repurposing old merchandise can score points, granting a chance to win exclusive prizes like match tickets, signed kits, and even a rare piece of soccer history, such as Jamie Carragher's England jersey from the 2010 World Cup.
Wales and Crystal Palace midfielder Josie Green is just one of the many professionals lending their support to the cause. Green, who is also a geography and PE teacher, understands the importance of educating the younger generation about waste and sustainability. As a supporter of Green Football's Great Save, she hopes to inspire fans to think twice before disposing of their jerseys and to recognize the impact small actions can have on a larger scale.
Josie's message is clear: "the most meaningful change begins with a simple, yet thoughtful, decision." She encourages fans to donate their jerseys to recycling facilities or creative initiatives like upcycling, rather than contributing to the growing problem of textile waste.
Joanna Czutkowna, CEO of 5Thread and a doctoral researcher in circular economy, agrees. Modern sports jerseys are made primarily from virgin polyester, an oil-based product that takes between 20 to 200 years to break down in the environment and contributes microplastics to the waters they are washed in. Moreover, the increasing number of jerseys produced each season and thecurrent trend of releasing multiple kits per year has led to 60% of unused garments ending up incinerated or in landfills.
The urgency to address this issue has led to the rise of upcycling brands, such as FC88 and (Re)Boot, which transform old sportswear into unique, custom-made bags, hats, and jerseys. Green Football is teaming up with British upcycling fashion designer Christopher Raeburn and DIY kit repair brand We Fix Kits to help fans tap into their creative potential and repurpose their unwanted jerseys.
The future of soccer apparel is redefining its priorities, moving towards greener options like garments that capture carbon and garments made from emissions. But until these innovations become mainstream, fans can make a difference by embracing the Power of Pop and radically altering their approach to consumption, one jersey at a time. #GreenFootballGreatSave
- Inspired by the issue of merchandise waste in soccer, over 100 clubs and players are urging fans to tackle waste by repurposing, donating, or selling their old football kits.
- By choosing to keep an old jersey for an extra nine months, fans can necessarily reduce their carbon, water, and waste footprint by up to 30%.
- In an effort to address the problem of textile waste, initiatives like upcycling brands FC88 and (Re)Boot, along with collaborations with designers like Christopher Raeburn and We Fix Kits, aim to extend the lifespan of old soccer kits and promote environmental sustainability.