Football leagues urged to tackle plastic waste
The Premier League backed Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign back in April, and now other leagues are being asked to do their bit.
Thursday 31 May 2018 05:43, UK
Football leagues across the UK are being urged to follow the example set by the top tier by banning the use of single-use plastics.
The Premier League announced in April that it would introduce measures to phase out single-use plastics in its operations and supply chains over the next two years, representing strong backing for Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign.
One of the first clubs to commit to the initiative were Tottenham, with single-use plastics - including straws, stirrers and cutlery - to be barred from its new 61,000-seater stadium when it opens next season.
Now a House of Commons committee has written to the chairmen of other leagues in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to encourage them to follow suit.
Labour MP Mary Creagh - who chairs the environmental audit committee - thinks the chairmen should "mobilise the power of sport" by ending the environmentally detrimental use of the plastics.
She has also asked each league if they would consider introducing a bottle return scheme.
"Plastic litter ruins our streets, chokes our seas and endangers wildlife," said Ms Creagh.
"We all need to do our bit to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution.
"There is a huge opportunity for sports organisations to reduce the use of throwaway plastic at matches and encourage fans to reduce, reuse and recycle.
"I want the UK's football leagues to show leadership on this issue."
Earlier on Wednesday, the Scottish government announced that it would be banning single-use cups from all of its buildings in order to save 450,000 being sent to landfill.
The UK government and businesses have also been dealing with the issue of plastic waste amid warnings of record micro-plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean.
Levels of plastic in the oceans could treble by 2025 without action to try and stop it.
:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com