FOOTBALL is a huge global sport, but it also generates loads of plastic waste. Last season alone the Premier League is estimated to have thrown away over six million single-use plastic cups.

So we were delighted to learn that AFC Bournemouth is trialling re-usable cups at the Vitality Stadium. Hopefully this will be permanently rolled out across the stadium for all cold drinks in the near future.

Friends of the Earth is urging football clubs to sign up to our plastic pledge. As well as re-usable cups, measures on this pledge include:

• Removing or replacing single-use plastic bags, straws, stirrers, sauce sachets, mini milk-cartons and cutlery – ideally with reusable alternatives;

• Providing drinking water fountains and refill points.

Plastic pollution harms our wildlife and blights our environment – we hope football clubs across the UK will play their part in solving this crisis by getting drastic on plastic.

CRAIG BENNETT

Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth

London SW9