Brighton and Hove Albion

Clean/Renewable Energy

• Electricity remains green electricity at all the facilities, stadium, offices at the stadium and training ground
• Carbon emissions are offset fully in relation to gas which has included the planting of over 1000 trees at local schools through their community schemes
• Solar panels on the training ground rooftop
• New electricity contract which commences in 2019 will be a green electricity provider

Energy Efficiency

• Training ground as well as the Amex is BREEAM certified as ‘very good’
• Enhanced monitoring arranging for building management systems to enable greater energy efficiency
• Ongoing programme of lamp/lighting changes across both the stadium and training ground to LED equivalent to help reduce power consumption costs by up to 50%
• Ground staff have electric mowers for use at the stadium
• LED floodlights
• Lighting in all internal areas of the stadium and training ground are sensor activated
• Time clocks in use for external lighting
• Looking to introduce clip monitoring to further understand utility usage on site
• The Stadium is BREEAM certified ‘very good’

Sustainable Transport

• Subsidised bus travel scheme for staff
• Currently investigating installation of electric vehicle charging at both training ground and stadium
• Security and maintenance teams use electric buggies at the stadium
• Club have been working with local transport providers to track fans travel to the stadium for a number of years and this is set to continue. The information collected will help drive, informal and improve club policies and maintain the sustainable transportation approach.
• Transport methods for fans on match days for the 19/20 season until the last 5 games which were behind closed doors) were: Train (41%), Park and Ride (16%), Coaches/Minibuses (15%), Parking (14%), Walking (7%), Scheduled city buses (6%), Cycling (0.5%), Motorbikes (0.5%)
• Free travel is offered to all fans within free travel zone
• Public transport, walking and cycling advocated. Stadium has covered & secure cycle parking close by

Single Use Plastic Reduction/Removal

• Single use plastic policy in place, primarily led at the stadium by the catering partners Sodexo who will liaise and negotiate with suppliers to see how best they can minimise or remove single use plastics
• As part of the ‘On the ball’ campaign to provide free sanitary products for people attending their venues as well as staff and female players, plastic free ranges have been introduced, and are in place at both stadium and training ground
• Moved to Smart Water, the only full recyclable water bottle to ensure bottled products can be successfully recycled
• Bottle lids still being collected and distributed to Lush once Covid restrictions are removed
• Pie supplier is changing their internal wrapping from single use plastic to alternative
• Eliminated plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery, using paper cups for match days and are at design stage for full roll out
• Staff restaurant at stadium was single use plastic free before covid, which will continue following restrictions to service style
• Reusable water bottles and coffee cups issued to all members of staff along with installation of water fountains across both venues
• Eliminated the use of plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery from the start of the 2018/19 season. Exploring removal of other single use plastics.
• Removed plastic carrier bags from club shop
• Plastic bottle tops from the stadium catering operation taken to ‘Lush for recycling’
• Trialling paper cups as part of our match day catering operation and at design stage for a full roll out across the stadium
• Use of smart dose concentrate systems which reduces plastic in the main containers both in size and quantity. This also enables recycling of trigger spray bottles at both venues
• Introduction of recyclable microfibre cloths for cleaning which has reduced the amount of polypropylene disposable cloths being used
• Introduction of steam cleaning of carpets and concourse floors has led to a reduction in the amount of chemicals used and therefore reduced a lot of associated plastic waste

Waste Management

• Zero waste to landfill, waste management policy in place
• Introduced separate cardboard and paper waste disposal at the stadium to maximise this area away from other recyclables
• Removed all single use office bins as part of stadium office upgrades – general, and recycling options available
• Recycle wood and pallets through Brighton wood store who re-use to make furniture and other items
• Battery, lamp and toner, IT equipment recycling schemes in place with any money gained going to Albion in the Community (the clubs’ charitable arm)
• Green waste is disposed at Brighton composting centre
• A key aspect of the design and operations of the venues is focussed on the importance of waste management. The general waste disposal philosophy demonstrates a commitment to recycling of waste materials and support to any recycling or waste reduction initiatives. This involves key waste management partners: Biffa, Sodexo, PHS, Brighton Composting etc.
• An on-going review to further enhance the processes involved to generate the best outcome in terms of waste minimisation
• Have introduced NFC ticketing (tickets on mobile phones) and removed paper tickets that we print and post from circulation.  Done this to reduce printing and eradicate postage; this has also helped ensure covid secure protocols
• Programmes now being issued digitally, free of charge
• Zero waste to landfill operation
• Food waste; have supplied to the Real Junk Food Company of Brighton and various donations to other local food banks from match day catering operation.

Water Use

• Water efficiency strategy in place across all club operations, with the aim of being more efficient with water requirements in place for a number of years, and continues to be pursued including in areas where further efficiencies can be made.
• Such as – use of percussion showers across both venues to reduce waste water
  Ground water recycling at training ground via pitch irrigation system
• Reusable water bottles and coffee cups issued to all members of staff along with installation of water fountains across both venues
• Stadium has waterless urinals on all public concourses
• Stadium water operation linked to lighting activation so doesn’t run 24/7 in some area

Plant based/low carbon food

• Vegan and vegetarian options available in all catering areas – including at stadium, training facility and offices
• Over 20% of match day food is vegan or vegetarian
• Local suppliers used, with encouragement made to them to remove single use plastic from packaging
• Vegan & vegetarian options available across the concourse on match days and increased plant-based foods by 20% across our retail areas
• Support local food heroes and suppliers through menus and tariff’s; from Bolney wines and Harvey’s Beer to Brighton bakeries, smokehouses and butchers etc

Communication/Engagement

• Environmental statement on website https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/club/club/environmental-statement/
• A clear club policy statement on the website, which outlines the clubs’ commitment to a sustainable business. This was highlighted in the clubs’ end-of-year accounts, which will be made available to supporters in January 2021
  
• Digital signage has been used this season to promote recycling, advertise the diversity of food options, highlighting vegan, vegetarian and speciality items
• On the return to reopening to full capacity and reopening conferencing facilities, intensions have been made to publish guidance to supporters coming to the stadium, as part of the visitors and supporters’ stadium guides, on how exactly they can help the club in its commitment to becoming sustainable
• (Pre-covid) Beach  cleans with supporters and linking in with our main partner American Express
• Post-Covid, plans to out an educational communications plan focusing on what is being done and what can be done, how supporters can help by small changes to their habits. This will be a fully digital campaign, via email, website, app and social media

Information sourced directly from Brighton and Hove Albion staff, website and third party websites
Information updated January 23rd 2021