Biffa launches new initiative to support grassroots women’s football teams to build circular economy
Grassroots women’s football teams across Scotland will be supported to recycle more and build towards the Deposit Return Scheme, thanks to the link-up between Scottish Women’s Football and leading sustainable waste and recycling company Biffa.
Kicking off Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, the new initiative was launched at Midlothian club Bonnyrigg Rose, who play in the Biffa SWFL Central/South East.
Under the plans Biffa will provide recycling infrastructure throughout the league, the Biffa SWFL North/East and the Biffa SWFL West/South West, and support clubs towards the introduction of Scotland’s world-leading Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Scottish Government Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater and Scottish Women’s Football Commercial Partnerships Manager Sam O’Donnell joined Vicky Ernst, Programme Lead for the Deposit Return Scheme at Biffa, and Operations Director Gavin Money, to launch the scheme in Bonnyrigg.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said:
“This innovative partnership with Biffa and Scottish Women’s Football will support teams across Scotland to play a part in building the circular economy along which be integral to Scotland’s world-leading deposit return scheme.
“Many of the clubs involved provide vital opportunities for young girls to join a team and get active, and this initiative will help them to become circular economy ambassadors for their communities at the same time.”
Vicky Ernst said: “Biffa is proud to support Scottish Women’s Football’s regional grassroots league the SWFL, and we recognise that the clubs that play in these exciting leagues play a big role in their communities. That’s why we want to support them to be active in encouraging encourage communities to play an active role in growing recycling capacity and making the Deposit Return Scheme a success, both of which we are committed to.”
Aileen Campbell, CEO of SWF, said: “Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week this year is focused on visibility and partnerships, and we are proud to have a great partnership with Biffa who recognise the importance of the grassroots game when it comes to providing girls with opportunities and supporting communities. These clubs deserve the recognition for that work, and the support to play a positive role in their communities.”
Jim Wilson from Bonnyrigg Rose Community Football said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the first club to benefit from this support. Bonnyrigg Rose Ladies play a huge part in our Community Club leading by example to our younger girls age groups. This initiative means we can also lead by example when it comes to recycling and circular economy too.”
Biffa is the official logistics service provider of the DRS, a fundamental part of Scotland’s efforts to move to tackle climate change and create a circular economy by reducing waste.
DRS, which is set to go live in August 2023, aims to ensure that at least 90% of recyclable drinks containers are captured and prevented from becoming waste.
The scheme is expected to create around 500 jobs in Scotland to support the collection, sorting and counting of products.
