HTSA joined the Huddersfield Times 'Great Huddersfield Clean Up' and continued to make steady progress on recycling at the stadium.
An important aspect of sustainability, if not the most important aspect, is taking pride in and looking after one’s environment. Indeed, this is the main motivation behind HTSA’s own Sustainable Stadium Campaign, which aims to make the John Smith’s greener and more pleasant for all those who frequent it.
So, when we learned that the good people at Huddersfield Times were organising a litter pick around town, we were keen to lend a hand (or eight). Suitably inspired, we hosted our own fringe event at the stadium, spending Sunday morning and afternoon scouring car parks and riverbanks for stray pizza boxes and mislaid crisp packets. We also managed to fit in a spot of de-weeding behind the South Stand, which uncharitable folk might say had begun to resemble a botanical garden.
In the end, we filled seven 24 litre bin liners with an assortment of rubbish. Much of it was recyclable, with the bulk consisting of aluminium cans and plastic bottles. There was also a noteworthy concentration of plastic pint containers—the kind used on matchdays—hidden in the hedgerows opposite the main entrance.
Sadly, due to our small number and the sheer volume of discarded waste, we likely only scratched the surface. In view of this, we have decided to run regular clean ups over the summer. If you’re interested in joining us, please email contact[at]htsa-web.com.
Next Steps: Recycling Bins on Concourses
In terms of the wider Sustainable Stadium Campaign, we’re making slow but steady progress. As you may already be aware, the results of April’s survey led us to focus on the most popular of the campaign’s six objectives ahead of next season—namely, improving the level of recycling at the stadium.
The survey proved to be a timely intervention. Unfortunately, almost no matchday waste ends up being recycled. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because there’s only one recycling bin in the entire stadium, usually nestled at one end of the Kilner Bank.
It may not be a case of dragging the John Smith’s into the 21st century, then, but rather heaving it into the early 1990s (not the worst time to follow the Town!). Aside from playing ‘Say You’ll Be There’ by the Spice Girls before kick-off, the most obvious way to do this is by putting enough recycling bins on all concourses and clearly communicating their presence and location to fans.
To this end, we’re currently speaking to KSDL about match funding the procurement of multiple green bins. This funding will come from a mixture of direct payments and grants. Sustainable Huddersfield and MP Barry Sheerman have kindly offered to help with the latter, as have the council, with whom we will continue to meet.
We’re also hoping to resume multi-stakeholder working group meetings as soon as possible.
Keep your eyes peeled for further updates. In the meantime, if you have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to share them.
How Can You Help?
You can help the Sustainable Stadium Campaign in two main ways.
First, by sharing our articles and social media posts. And if you feel strongly, let the club know that you support the campaign and are glad they do, too.
Second, if you want to become more actively involved, email contact[at]htsa-web.com, and we'll invite you to participate in our Sustainable Stadium Campaign Working Group.
And remember, we’re running a new membership scheme: you can join HTSA for just £1, and if you work in the NHS, emergency services, a school or the armed forces, membership is free! Existing members can also extend their membership for free.