Game On for Green! Free Toolkit Helps Irish Sports Clubs Tackle Waste

• New resource will help sports clubs eliminate single use plastics and provide guidance on segregating waste.
• It comes as new research reveals 90% of sports clubs believe they could be doing more to improve their waste management efforts.
• Sports clubs can now avail of this free toolkit by visiting MyWaste.ie 

Pictured at the launch of the MyWaste new free sustainability toolkit for sports clubs at the National Indoor Arena, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin is Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, Alina Clarke (17 yrs), Elliot Winders (10 yrs), Victory Collins (6 yrs) and Adam Ryan (14 yrs). The MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit, supported by the Federation of Irish Sport, will help sports clubs improve their waste management practices and embrace the principles of a circular economy. The toolkit can be downloaded for free from MyWaste.ie Photographer: Shane O’Neill (Coalesce)

There’s good news for thousands of sports clubs nationwide as Ireland’s official guide to managing your waste, MyWaste, has launched 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.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• Environmental Consciousness: 84.79% of clubs believe their members are environmentally conscious and would like to recycle more waste generated at the club.
• High Engagement with Waste Collection: 74% of sports clubs currently avail of a waste collection service.
• Prevalence of Plastic Waste: When asked what are the biggest items that typically end up in your club’s general waste bins, 53% said plastic bottles, while 24% said disposable coffee cups.
• Interest in Guidance: 79% of clubs are interested in free guidance on waste management and recycling.

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.”

He added: “This initiative is a collaboration between the Government of Ireland, MyWaste and the Federation of Irish Sport. It demonstrates our commitment to working together to raise public awareness of the importance of recycling sustainably.” 

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.

Sinéad Ni Mhainnin, Regional Waste Management Planning Office, said, “The MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit represents a significant advancement in our efforts to promote sustainable waste management across Ireland. By equipping sports clubs with the right knowledge and resources, we can collectively make substantial strides toward a greener future.”

She added, “The toolkit bridges the gap by offering practical steps and tailored guidance that address the unique challenges faced by sports clubs. This initiative underscores the power and importance of collaboration and community engagement in achieving our environmental goals.”

The first phase of MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit will focus on raising awareness about the toolkit and encouraging its adoption by sports clubs nationwide. Later this year, an Online Masterclass will also be facilitated by MyWaste for all sports club representatives to learn more about the toolkit resources available and gain insights into best practice.

Clare Louise O’Donoghue, Head of Commercial & Marketing at the Federation of Irish Sport, said; “The Federation is very proud to support this MyWaste initiative. Through collaboration and information sharing, we hope to positively impact our sports clubs and organisations’ journey towards reducing their carbon footprint.”

For more information and to download the free MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit visit MyWaste website here.

Niall Rynne, Chair of the Management Committee at the Irish Rugby Football Union said; “The IRFU is delighted to support this exciting initiative and looks forward to working with MyWaste in engaging and encouraging grassroots support of this initiative. This is a wonderful opportunity for the rugby community to participate in a sustainability initiative with a lasting legacy.”

Walter Holleran, Head of Grant Funding and Infrastructure Development at the Football Association of Ireland said; “As part of the MyWaste initiative, we at the FAI are excited to create opportunities for our members to engage in positive waste management actions. This not only supports the FAI Sustainability Strategy and Programme but also contributes to Ireland’s transition to a Circular Economy. By launching this initiative, we aim to garner wider support from the entire football family, fostering a collective effort towards sustainability and environmental responsibility.”

Padraig Fallon, Chair of GAA Green Clubs Programme said; “The GAA Green Clubs programme is delighted to support the launch of this initiative, as we see this as an opportunity to further support on a wider scale the aims and objectives of the waste management component of the GAA’s Green Clubs Programme which was launched in December 2022”.

 About MyWaste

MyWaste (www.mywaste.ie) , Ireland’s official guide to managing your waste. Here you will find everything you need and want to know about managing your waste responsibly, efficiently and in the way that suits you.

MyWaste.ie is an information portal only, our role is to guide and advise you on where and how you can report activities such as illegal dumping or possible problems with your waste collection service.

This is an initiative brought to you by the Regional Waste Management Offices on behalf of the Department of Climate Action, Communications and the Environment. To learn more about MyWaste visit www.mywaste.ie

About the Federation of Irish Sport

The Federation of Irish Sport represents the governing bodies of Irish sport and works to promote the interests of sport at all levels in Ireland. For more information, visit www.irishsport.ie