A Sustainable Future for Sport: NTU Sport invests £1.5 Million to boost sustainability and student experience

We have already implemented various sustainable practices throughout our facilities to limit waste, encourage recycling, and work towards NTU’s Net Zero Carbon 2040 goal. These practices include:

• Encouraging students to donate their old trainers, supporting the reuse and recycling of sportswear while helping those in need.
• We use Vectair V-Air’s fully compostable air fresheners at our Clifton Sports Hub to reduce landfill waste. These air fresheners decompose naturally without leaving harmful residues that pollute the environment.
• Washing and reusing bibs and cleaning cloths at our facilities to reduce the consumption of disposable products and plastic waste.
• Working with approved suppliers to order consumable items at specific intervals to minimise deliveries, prevent overconsumption, and reduce waste.
• To reduce our carbon footprint, we prioritise efficient transportation by coordinating group travel arrangements for multiple teams to their BUCS games as well as using public transport, when possible.
• We included sustainability in the criteria for the committee of the year at the NTU Sports Awards

We continuously strive to improve the quality of our sports facilities with innovative and sustainable renovations. Our recent renovations reflect this dedication with an investment of £1.5 million to reduce energy and water usage.

Read on to gain an insight into NTU Sport’s sustainable facility upgrades:

Self-Wetting Hockey Balls and Hockey Pitch Surface Renovations.

To address the challenges posed by climate change, we have embraced the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) vision for water-saving hockey practices and introduced MakinH’s rewetta® self-wetting ball, the first of its kind in the UK.

This recyclable ball allows for almost water-free hockey by generating a film of water droplets that mimics traditional ball behaviours. It ensures smooth ball handling in both dry and rainy conditions, providing a high-quality playing experience for our students.

Additionally, we are collaborating with Poligras to introduce their Green Technology turf on our hockey pitch. Made from organically based materials, it saves 73 tonnes of CO2 compared to a conventional turf and is one of the most sustainable choice available. The “Turf Glide” technology allows for superior performance when dry and requires less water for irrigation, as demonstrated by a 40% reduction in water consumption at Tokyo 2020 and will achieve further water savings in future events like Paris 2024.

This unique play wet / play dry adaptability offers flexibility to our student-athletes allowing them to play on Olympic standard pitches while reducing our environmental impact.

LED Lights Replacement Works.

We are taking strides in energy conservation by switching to LED lighting in our Clifton Sports Hub. This sustainable initiative made possible through the support of NTU’s estate team and funding from the NET Zero Carbon Fund, is expected to save an impressive 35,000 kWh of energy annually and reduce our carbon emissions by approximately 7.25 tCO2e. We are hopeful that implementing these measures sets a positive example for sustainable practices within our community.

This investment of £1.5 million marks a significant milestone in our commitment to a sustainable future at NTU Sport. By introducing innovative solutions like the rewetta® self-wetting hockey ball, Green Technology turf, and LED lighting, we are reducing energy and water usage and enhancing our student experience.

Get ready to see your favourite sports spaces transformed in the next academic year!