In this week’s sustainability and sport news round-up, Twickenham tackles plastic pollution, the Swedish Athletic Association signs the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework and United World Wrestling protects turtle habitats.

Twickenham turns to ‘self-destructing’ plastic

More than 100,000 fans will test out ‘self-destructing’ plastic cups at Twickenham this weekend (18/19 June) during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final and the England vs Barbarians matches. The Lyfecycle cups, produced by Polymateria, are created to destruct on land within two years, leaving behind “no microplastics or toxins”, just an “Earth-friendly wax”.

The initiative is part of a ‘Define Your Legacy’ campaign between the world’s largest dedicated rugby venue and Lyfecycle, which aims to “tackle the issues of sustainability” particularly the “damages caused by plastic pollution in the sports industry”.

During the weekend, fans will be encouraged to take part in competitions connecting the importance of marine spaces with awareness of the issue of plastic pollution. Educational videos will be shown at points of sale and bins around the stadium, and fans will also be able to scan a QR code to find out more about Twickenham’s steps to eradicate plastic pollution.

Nils Braude, the managing director of Twickenham Experience, said the campaign will be a reminder that “we have a responsibility to build a more sustainable future for the next generation”.

“Working with Lyfecycle enables rugby fans to enjoy the game with their families and feel good knowing that with every cup they’re taking an actionable step towards solving one of the biggest environmental problems of our time,” he added.

Swedish Athletic Association commits to take climate action

The UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework welcomed a new signatory in the shape of the Swedish Athletic Association, which became the fourth national athletics federation to do so.

To mark the occasion, president of the Swedish Athletic Association, Johan Storåkers, was handed a relay baton made of recycled aluminium by Jackson Tuwei, president of Athletics Kenya, which was the first such organisation to join (followed by Oman and Serbia).

“Climate change is one of the most critical issues the world is facing and it will take collaboration and bold action to win the fight,” Storåkers said. “We are going to work hard to communicate how serious this issue is and focus on concrete action.”

Turtle habitats protected by wrestlers

United World Wrestling, the world governing body for the sport, launched a beach cleaning operation and turtle habitat protection awareness initiative during its Beach Wrestling World Series in Sarigerme, Turkey.

The project was inspired by the local community that is trying to conserve areas populated by loggerhead sea turtles, which are threatened by the prospect of extinction.

On top of the beach clean-ups, the federation initiated the planting of trees in the region, which was destroyed by wildfires in 2021.

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