#btsia Shortlist Focus: Mcc – Reducing Single-use Plastic
Organisation: MCC
Entry: Reducing Single Use Plastic at the Home of Cricket
Category: Social and Sustainable Development Award
Tell us about yourselves….
“MCC is the world’s most active cricket club, the owner of Lord’s Ground and the guardian of the Laws and Spirit of the game. Founded in 1787, it is recognised as the sole authority on the game’s Laws and moved to its current home on St John’s Wood Road in 1814. There are approximately 18,000 Full and 5,000 Associate Members of MCC.
“The first-ever match played at ‘Lord’s Cricket Ground’ was in 1787, when businessman Thomas Lord staged a game between Middlesex and Essex at a newly built ground in what was then known as Dorset Fields. The current Lord’s Ground has resided at its current location in St John’s Wood for over 200 years.
“This year Lord’s will host its fifth ICC Cricket World Cup Final, along with four group fixtures in the tournament.”
Why do you think you made the shortlist?
- “By making changes in our catering service, we removed 1.5 million pieces of single-use plastic in the ground.
- “The operational changes made were open and consistent with an actual sustainable approach with a well thought out model which has changed the way reusable cups are used in sports venues. The objective wasn’t to make a profit, but to have a truly sustainable impact on our plastic waste.
- “Plastic waste in venues is a pressing environmental issue that the sports sector has a responsibility to address. The actions taken by MCC have shown that a venue can implement changes that have a lasting impact.”
What made this a great project to work on?
“Having the knowledge and satisfaction that removing a significant amount of single-use plastic would make a real and tangible difference made this a great project to work on – as well as all the positive and appreciate response from our customers. It was interesting and enlightening to discover that reducing single-use plastic is an issue that many people care about.”
Who was the MVP on this project?
“Dr Russell Seymour, Sustainability Manager, co-ordinated the project to include a collaborative response to the issue, including a reworked business model for reusable cups, installation of water bottle refill points, and the removal of unnecessary single-use plastics from catering and retail outlets.
“Deputy Head of Catering, Pedro Saavedra, took the lead from the Catering Operations side who accommodated the practical changes for match day operations. These included personnel changes, operating systems and accounting systems.”
How do you plan to celebrate?
“By continuing the good work and making more improvements! There is still more that we can do and we have already identified a saving of 400,000 further items for this year. While a celebration is due there remains more to do!”
CREDITS
Dr Russell Seymour, MCC’s Sustainability Manager.
Pedro Saavedra, Deputy Head of Catering
Stephanie Pavesi, Retail Operations Manager
Claudio Tironi, Cellar Manager Claudio Tironi
MCC Communications and Print, Brand and Design Teams.
MCC is a pioneer member of the #OneLess campaign, led by the Zoological Society of London which gave support and advice. Commercial partners involved included Recup, for the provision and service of the reusable pint cups and Bunzl Catering Supplies.
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