'Great Save' campaign urges fans to keep kit in play

Former England and Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher has joined a host of star names - including Ollie Watkins, Juan Mata, Ben Mee, Demi Stokes, Josie Green and Ethan Ampadu - in making a surprise charity shop drops across the country to kick off Green Football’s 'Great Save'.

The campaign brings together the football community - including fans, players, clubs, leagues, grassroots teams and schools - to take action to tackle climate change and protect the future of the game. It was launched this week with current and former players donating their kit for fans to find, thus encouraging others to give pre-loved sportswear a second life and highlighting the importance of keeping kit in play.

LANDFILL

Carragher commented: “Around 100,000 tonnes of sports kit ends up in landfill each year. That's why we are trying to do something about it as part of Green Football's Great Save - donating, selling, and reusing old kit instead of throwing it away.”

During the campaign, which runs from March 11 to April 2, fans can join their sporting heroes and win prizes by donating their old kit to charity, including official charity partner, The Salvation Army, which has dedicated shop drop off points and a kit postal service so fans can donate from the comfort of their own home.

Supporters can also keep kit out of landfill by selling pre-loved sportswear on eBay, another Green Football partner. Many clubs will also be hosting Green Football donation bins during the campaign.

Every year an estimated 100,000 tonnes of sportswear ends up in UK landfill sites - the equivalent to 951 football shirts every minute. Landfills produce large amounts of methane - one of the most toxic greenhouse gases - which fuels climate change. Keeping kit in play for just nine more months could reduce its carbon, water and waste footprint by up to 30%.

FLOODING

The English FA has estimated that 120,000 grassroots games are already cancelled every year due to pitch flooding. By 2050, one in four English football clubs can expect partial or total stadium flooding each year.

Sarah Jacobs, the director of Green Football, said: “Football has an unequalled power to drive change, and it’s incredible to see so many clubs, fans, grassroots teams and players coming together to help save kit from landfill. Whether it’s donating a shirt or finding a new purpose for old kit, every action contributes to reducing waste, promoting sustainability in football and helping to protect the game we love. There’s a huge opportunity for the footballing community to lead the way in sport when it comes to kit. None of us is perfect, but by being on the journey together, we can make a real difference.”