Louth sports clubs called on to go green

There’s good news for sports clubs in Louth as Ireland’s official guide to managing your waste, MyWaste, is launching a free sustainability toolkit to help sports clubs improve their waste management practices and embrace the principles of a circular economy.

The MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit, supported by the Federation of Irish Sport, marks a significant step towards fostering environmental sustainability within the Irish sports community.

This launch comes as new research conducted by MyWaste in conjunction with the Federation of Irish Sport found that over 90% of clubs surveyed, believe they could be doing more to improve their waste management efforts.

Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, praised the new resource, stated; “I am delighted to launch the MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit today. By providing clubs with the necessary tools and guidance, we are not only fostering a culture of environmental responsibility but also leading the way in the circular economy.

“I encourage all sports organisations to take advantage of this excellent resource and make a positive impact on our environment and our wider communities.”

The toolkit highlights practical steps to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics. The toolkit includes:

• Guidance on Waste Segregation: Clear instructions on proper waste segregation to ensure recycling and waste management are as effective as possible.
• Elimination of Single-Use Plastics: Practical steps to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics, and disposable coffee cups.
• Gear Swapping Initiatives: Strategies to promote the reuse of sports gear, reducing the need for new purchases and minimising waste.
• Mapping Your Club’s Journey: Tools and templates to help clubs track their progress and set achievable sustainability goals.
• Engaging Communications Assets: Downloadable materials, including social media graphics and educational content, to raise awareness among club members and the wider community.