Policy and Commitment
- Sutton United has an Environmental Policy which can be found here: https://www.suttonunited.net/globalassets/sufc-environment-policy-2021.pdf
- The club launched its first CSR report in 2014 (September 2022) https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2022/september2/csr-report-2022/
- In September 2022, the club released its new CSR Report (Corporate Social Responsibility) which can be viewed on an external website.
- In 2014, the club was one of the first in the country to publish its energy usage and associated carbon footprint. Became the first club anywhere to be awarded the Planet Mark.
- Signed up to EFL’s Green Club initiative and are working to reach the status of being green Club accredited.
- In the CSR Report, the club shows its Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions calculations, including:
- Utilities usage, VBS Community Stadium
- Team Travel
- Hotel & Subsistence
- Player Travel
- Staff Travel
- Procurement of Goods and Services
- Spectator Travel
Clean/Renewable Energy
- No information provided
Energy Efficiency
- Club has an EnMS (energy management system) in place and monthly energy reports are produced for the board – this data is also included in our CSR Report
- Windows in the club’s main hall (now the MBA Lounge) has been replaced with double-glazing, helping to reduce heat loss and save energy.
- The gas boiler serving the MBA lounge has been replaced with a heat pump.
- Gas-fired heating to the boardroom has been replaced with a heat pump.
- Lighting has been replaced with LEDs throughout the club. (September 2022)
- Upgraded to high illumination, lower spillage lower energy floodlights
- https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
Sustainable Transport
- Promotes public transport (Rail and Bus) for visiting spectators to its stadium on its website: https://www.suttonunited.net/about/stadiumticket-information/
- The club does not fly to matches. It travels to games by train or coach.
- The club encourages players to car-share where possible. (September 2022): https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
- Partnered with HumanForest in order to promote the use of electric bicycles. An area close to the existing bike shed is now officially a HumanForest Hub which users of e-bikes can leave their hired e-bikes free of charge. (December 2023): https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2022/december/sutton-united-link-with-human-forest-ebikes/
Single Use Plastic Reduction/Removal
- No information provided
Waste Management
- Old steel fences which were not in serviceable condition, old wiring, metal pipes and removed mesh fence were given to a scrap metal dealer for recycling.
- Old plastic pipes were also taken for recycling.
- Old net posts have been reused as lighting or CCTV posts in the away concourse.
- Stone from under the old 3G pitch has been reused as far as possible as part of the club’s soakaway material under the new away concourse.
- Old floodlights were sent to be recycled.
- During the pandemic, the club worked with charitable organisation Football For Peace to help redistribute overstocked food to those in greatest need and reduce food waste (September 2022)
- https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
- Installed vape recycling points
- Operational waste (ie from office operations, bars and matchdays) is recycled. We opted out of the council waste collection scheme at least 5 years ago and appointed Biffa, because the council scheme still relied heavily on landfill whereas as Biffa use a MRF to recycle as much as possible. Glass is collected separately but our other general waste goes into a single Eurobin for sorting at the MRF.
Water Efficiency
- The urinals in the men’s toilets serving the main hall (MBA Lounge) were changed 5 years ago to waterless urinals with an estimated annual saving of 480 CuM. (September 2022): https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
Plant based/low carbon food
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available in the MBA Lounge (January 2023): https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2023/january/stevenage-tickets-and-pre-match-lunch-now-available-to-book/
Biodiversity
- We hope to install some raised beds in April 2023 and maybe run a “design a bug hotel” competition with schools
Education
- Collaborated with The Planet League to support local schools to take climate action (taken from CSR report: https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022 )
- Visited local schools leading up to the Green Football Weekend, Dave Farebrother (Club lead on sustainability) spoke at assemblies at 3 schools to over 600 schoolchildren about climate change and sustainability. Each school received comp tickets to a match at Sutton
Communication and Engagement
- During the 2021/22 season, Sutton United Youth & Community Foundation (SUYCF) teamed up with Planet Super League to support local schools to take climate action. 18 local schools took part to support climate action and Sutton United.
- The Foundation also took part in the “Be Green For Yor Team’” initiative. Using the Planet Super League platform, local football fans were encouraged to learn about climate action and do fun things to be greener – at home, school, work and at the match.
- Using social media, the Foundation has been busy encouraging supporters to sign up to Planet Super League. (September 2022) – https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
- Published a CSR Report that includes full quantified disclosure of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions and an estimation of our Scope 3 – https://issuu.com/suttonunitedfc/docs/sutton_united_csr_report_2022
- Carried out a litter pick in the local park
- In April 2023 we are hosting a climate change awareness event (www.climatefresk.org), which Dave Farebrother will facilitate, invited delegates include FA, EFL, Sky, London Borough of Sutton, SUFC Foundation
Additional information
Information verified and provided by club, correct as of 23rd March 2023.
