Salford make plastic pledge as club looks to be force for change

Today, the Salford Red Devils pledged to reduce their use of plastic.

This change was prompted by the success of Plastic Free July when the club’s stars were inspired to join this crusade and reduce their plastic consumption by the efforts of Kingsland Drinks. The Salford wine-merchant and the official club sponsor has recently partnered with The Hidden Sea which works to remove 10 plastic bottles from the ocean for every bottle of wine sold. The club now intends to support The Hidden Sea and the ReSea Project which is only the second organisation in the world to be certified to remove plastic from the ocean and rivers.

In their statement, the club noted that on average adults in the UK use 175 plastic bottles per year whilst 60% of our plastic waste is shipped off to developing countries exacerbating the problems they face and the issue of plastic pollution.

Salford stars Andy Ackers and Rhys Williams more than encouraged the club’s decision to follow in the footsteps of their club sponsor. Hooker Ackers said: “We all need to be more aware of what happens to our plastic waste. There are many great organisations like ReSea and The Hidden Sea Wine who are working together to remove plastic waste from the ocean. We can all do our bit by reducing the amount of plastic we use.”

Meanwhile, Williams, who raised the profile of the club with a spectacular long-range try against Leeds at Wembley last season, echoed these views: “No matter how small the change is in your plastic consumption – it will make a difference. Swapping a plastic coffee cup for a reusable cup will mean that your annual plastic usage will drop significantly.”

Salford will help The Hidden Sea’s alongside fellow partners Sainsbury’s and Co-op as they look to remove 1 billion bottles from the ocean by 2030.

Speaking about Salford’s support, The Hidden Sea co-founder Justin Moran said: ““It’s really great to get the support of the Red Devils – it’s so easy for fans and supporters to follow in their footsteps to make a change to how they use plastic. Whether it’s swapping plastic egg cartons for cardboard ones, taking reusable shopping bags to the supermarket rather than buying more plastic to take plastic home… simple actions can help combat this huge global crisis.”

Here are his top tips for reducing plastic consumption:

• Stop using single use plastics altogether! Demand your retailers change. So obviously bring your own bags. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are loose in supermarkets, rather than pre-packed in plastic wrappers. Fruit and vegetables come with natural wrapping already.
• Seek out alternative (reuse) delivery models for everyday household products. Soaps, laundry detergent, shampoos etc. Companies similar to loopstore.co.uk
• Don’t buy water in plastic bottles! Remember bottled water companies don’t produce water, they produce plastic bottles.
• Do not support take out restaurants that serve food in single use plastic. Eat in or bring your own containers.
• Buy eggs in cardboard boxes, rather than plastic boxes.