By Lucia Binding, news reporter
Football clubs are being urged to switch to returnable cups at their stadiums in a bid to cut plastic waste.
An estimated six million single-use cups may have been used in the Premier League last season – and according to campaigners, fans of the beautiful game support the environmentally friendly move.
Some clubs are already making the change. Manchester City introduced a stadium-wide returnable cup scheme last month, and estimates it will prevent an average of 29,000 single-use plastic cups being used per match.
Arsenal also introduced a reusable cup scheme with the Camden Town Brewery at the beginning of this season following a successful trial period.
Football clubs including Chelsea, West Ham and Fulham have also trialled a scheme, while similar initiatives have been operating at Lord's Cricket Ground, The Oval and Twickenham rugby stadium for several years.
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Friends of the Earth and the British Association for Sustainable Sport (Basis) are now encouraging teams to sign up to an anti-plastic pledge and offer reusable cups as well as remove single-use plastic straws, bags and cutlery.
Campaigner Julian Kirby said: "Football clubs across the UK should aim to be champions off the pitch, as well as on it, by giving single-use plastic the boot.
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