With the UEFA Euro 2024 championship launching on Friday 14th June, the excitement in the air is palpable.
But amidst the cheers and celebrations, there’s an underlying issue that needs our attention – the significant amount of waste generated at football matches as a leading waste management company, we have launched a campaign to address this very concern in our hometown but also encouraging people to understand the impact of big sporting events.
How big is the problem?
Football matches are a massive spectacle, drawing thousands of people from across the globe and fostering a sense of unity among fans.
However, they also generate a substantial amount of waste. On average, a European football match produces 0.8 kg of waste per spectator, amounting to approximately 4.2 tonnes per match.
This figure escalates dramatically when considering the annual total across all matches organised by European national football associations, reaching a staggering 750,000 tonnes of waste per year.
Additionally, these events also contribute to environmental issues like increased energy and water consumption and emissions from increased travel.
Vote with your waste
To highlight and mitigate these environmental impacts, we have introduced a creative and engaging solution.
A pop-up, 240L household-sized wheelie bin will be placed in the heart of Newcastle on Grey Street – where we are headquartered.
This bin is not just any bin – it’s divided into two sections, allowing passersby to “vote with their waste” for their preferred team during several matches during the Euros.
This innovative approach aims to encourage people to dispose of their waste responsibly while showing support for their teams.
The bin will be available for the following matches:
- Friday 14th: Germany vs. Scotland
- Saturday 15th: Spain vs. Croatia
- Monday 17th: Austria vs. France
- Thursday 20th: Spain vs. Italy
- Friday 21st: Netherlands vs. France
It will also be present during the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.
Results so far!
Match 1 – Germany vs Scotland
Match 1 saw a resounding victory for Germany (5-1) and the public also agreed they’d win the match with the tournament hosts receiving 2.7KG of waste compared to Scotland’s 0.4KG.
Match 2 – Spain vs Croatia
Match 2 was a lot closer in the votes but Spain were voted the favourites with 2.1KG of Newcastle’s waste going in their side of the bin compared to Croatia’s 1.2KG. Again the public voted correctly as Spain cruised to a 3-0 win over the ageing Croatian team.
Match 3 – Austria vs France
France are one of the tournament favourites so it was no surprise that Newcastle locals voted in favour of Les Bleus with the split being 3KG to France and 0.7KG to Austria. But the Austrians proved tricky for France on the day and were narrowly defeated 1-0 thanks to some brilliance by the main man Mbappe so once again the public voted with their waste correctly despite it not being a washout as predicted.
Match 4 – Spain vs Italy
Match 4 saw the close matchup between Spain and Italy. Italy are the current championship holders but Spain are in a rich vein of form going into the tournament. Newcastle locals sided with the Spanish voting 2.3KG of their waste compared to 1.4KG for the Italians. Again the Geordies predicted correctly with Spain edging out a 1-0 victory.
Match 5 – Netherlands vs France
Netherlands vs France proved to be the biggest day for our bin yet, with the bin collecting a whopping total of 5.2KG. But France were voted the favourites taking 3.4KG compared to the Netherlands’ 1.8KG. However, the public finally broke their winning streak as the game ended a sorry 0-0.
Total so far
So far our bin has collected 19KG of waste from the Newcastle public!
The bin will now take a quick break whilst we clean it up and get it ready for the quarter-finals.
Our expert tips for footy fans
Steve Traviss, a sustainability expert at Waste Managed, is passionate about encouraging fans to be more environmentally conscious. Here are his top tips for reducing waste at sporting events:
- Bring Reusable Containers: Use reusable water bottles and food containers to minimise single-use plastic waste.
- Recycle Properly: Familiarise yourself with the recycling options available at the venue and ensure you dispose of waste in the correct bins.
- Make Greener Travel Choices: Reduce your carbon footprint by using public transportation to travel to and from the match.
- Choose Sustainable Merchandise: Support environmentally conscious brands when purchasing team merchandise.
- Dispose of Waste Responsibly: Always use designated bins and encourage others to do the same.
“Football brings people together and is a chance to celebrate our love for the game and support our team,” says Steve Traviss.
“However, it also generates a significant amount of waste and other environmental impacts. With this campaign, we aim to raise awareness and encourage fans in our hometown of Newcastle, and around the world, to be more mindful of their waste. By voting with their waste, Geordies can support their team and the environment at the same time.”
At Waste Managed we are committed to creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment. This campaign is a crucial step in engaging football fans in the conversation about waste and environmental responsibility. By working together, we can significantly reduce waste and promote a more sustainable future.
Let’s cheer for our teams while also supporting the planet. Together, we can make a difference!
