Member Article

BCFA Kicking Single Use Plastics to the Curb with Award Winning Innovation Hub, STEAMhouse

In a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at tackling the growing issue of single-use plastic waste in football, Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) has partnered with STEAMhouse, Birmingham’s leading innovation hub. This partnership is set to launch an ambitious new cross-disciplinary challenge-led innovation programme designed to identify innovative solutions to reduce the adverse environmental effects of single-use plastic in the sport. The BCFA and STEAMhouse are looking for innovation partners with a diverse range of experience and expertise to join propel the programme forwards.

The impact of single-use plastics on the environment is a global concern, and football is not immune. In the West Midlands alone, it is estimated that over the course of the season, 16.54 tons of plastic waste are generated from single-use disposable ice packs used to treat player injuries. The weight of this issue is crushing, with significant implications for both the environment and the sustainability of the game.

The project is exploring three key areas of innovation potential: Material Innovation, Operational & Behavioural Change, and Storytelling & Campaigns. The focus on Material Innovation includes exploring the development of sustainable alternatives, mapping innovative reuse options, and advancing opportunities in advanced polymers and composite materials. The project also aims to unite innovation partners in driving Operational & Behavioural Change, with a focus on the best way to achieve stakeholder engagement, community and grassroots involvement, and incentivise sustainable behaviours.

Led by the Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA) and challenge-led innovation experts STEAMhouse, the initiative will also focus on Storytelling and Campaigns to expand the project’s reach and impact. This includes launching effective campaigns, securing funding, and building strategic partnerships with regional and national sports clubs, as well as major organisations like the Premier League and UEFA.

This initiative started in July and will run until January 2025 is part of a larger project aimed at solidifying the West Midlands as the national exemplar in challenge-led innovation, commissioned by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) through the West Midlands Innovation Programme, part of the national Innovation Accelerator portfolio led by Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation. 

Richard Lindsay at the BCFA speaks on the need to focus on sustainability in the sport: 

“Climate change is arguably the greatest challenge of our generation. While grassroots football is not the cause as most clubs are small sized, often loss-making, volunteer led enterprises with a microscale carbon footprint, we know there is an appetite for change with 86% of grassroots football clubs believing the game should do more to reduce its environmental impact. But as in any sector there is always more that can be done to lessen its footprint. 

The game offers huge potential for engagement and change, as the scale on which people share a close affinity with their community club is perhaps unparalleled in any other sport, activity or business. 

Being part of this challenge led innovation project is a really exciting first for the County FA and it is a great opportunity to collaborate with partners & experts away from the game that can help us find positive solutions which will foster long term behavioural change, leading to co-benefits across a number of other aspects outside of football”

Participants in the programme will work on exploring different avenues for the reduction of single-use plastic waste in football, with a focus on player treatment products – like instant ice packs. The goal is to test new ideas, design sustainable alternatives, and develop a roadmap that will enable BCFA to secure further innovation funding and drive the initiative forward. This challenge led innovation Programme builds on Save Today, Play Tomorrow: an initiative that launched in June 2021 by BCFA which aims to decarbonise grassroots football, and is recognised globally among top 50 sport & sustainability initiatives.”

STEAMhouse and BCFA are calling on a broad range of candidates to join this initiative, across all industries whether that be sustainable material alternatives, behavioural psychology, grass roots community workers or anyone with a passion for the changing the game. The programme is not just about finding quick fixes; it’s about exploring new ways of thinking, bring experts together and co-exploring innovative solutions, and setting the stage for long-term change in the industry.

STEAMhouse Innovation Manager Harry Conway, who is leading on the programme, comments on the new initiative:

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Birmingham County Football Association on the new initiative to tackle the pressing issue of single-use plastic waste in football. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to utilise our expertise in innovation, and creativity at STEAMhouse to develop sustainable solutions that could have a significant impact on the world we live in.

By bringing together a diverse team of experts from various disciplines, we hope to inspire new ways of thinking, and design innovative alternatives to single-use plastics. This project aligns perfectly with our focus on fostering a culture of innovation to creates a more sustainable future.

We believe that through collaboration and experimentation, we can develop solutions that not only reduce plastic waste in football - but continue to inspire a positive change within the community and beyond.”

Iain Mansell, Cluster Leadership Development Manager at the West Midlands Combined Authority:

““The WMCA led West Midlands Innovation Programme forms part of the region’s innovation accelerator portfolio, funded through a national trailblazing fund from government through Innovate UK. This ambitious initiative will see our region on a global stage positioned as a pioneer in developing creative solutions for the benefit of people and the planet. 

We are excited by this collaboration between STEAMhouse and the BCFA and our hopes are that our local businesses and their innovative alternatives to single-use plastics spark the attention of a national and international audience, driving forward a step change that brings benefits to all.”

STEAMhouse and BCFA are now accepting applications for the programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Claire Bryson .