The Kia Oval has won the ‘Sustainability in Sport’ award at the prestigious annual Sports Business Awards.
Sustainability is at the heart of all aspects of the Club’s work and this award – for which the Club beat excellent submissions by Extreme E, SailGP, The Ocean Race, Norwich City and the Birmingham County FA – is recognition of the ongoing efforts of Surrey CCC staff to constantly improve the ground’s environmental credentials.
The event was held in the brand new One Oval Square development in the Galadari Stand at The Kia Oval last week (November 18th) and was hosted by BBC presenter Mark Chapman. Attendees came from across the world of sport, including Manchester City FC, the European Tour, Everton FC, Premiership Rugby, the America’s Cup and the Professional Darts Corporation.
The award judges wrote that The Kia Oval was, “a venue which has sustainability at its heart. Everything connected with the venue is environmentally friendly and every new product is looked at through the lens of the environment.
“This was the standout entry because of the sheer scale of what has been done. From the ground being powered entirely by renewable energy, to reusable or compostable cutlery, to reusable glass bottles and more.
“Very impressive initiatives which are effective and run throughout the operation of the venue.”
Elements of the Club’s sustainability work are listed below and – during this summer’s Test Match between England and India – the Club unveiled our latest pledge, to work towards making The Kia Oval a carbon neutral venue.
- Every drink bought at the ground is served in a reusable, recyclable glass. Disposable pint glasses have not been used since 2015.
- All other drinks are either served in cans or decanted into reusable glasses or carafes from glass bottles.
- Fourteen water fountains have been installed around the ground to allow fans to refill their own bottles.
- Fans are allowed to bring empty refillable coffee cups and water bottles into the ground, which will be filled by all vendors around the Kia Oval.
- All electricity at the Kia Oval is generated from renewable energy.
- All conferences and events at the ground are serviced by filtered water in reusable glass bottles that are then retained, washed and reused for future events.
- Where appropriate, all food is served in compostable packaging and the ground has installed a comprehensive compostable waste stream, solving a problem where food waste would spoil large parts of the Club’s dry mixed recycling.
- The Club has instigated a procurement strategy focused on ensuring vendors sell products that have fully recyclable or compostable packaging.
- Kitchens at the Kia Oval use an ‘Orca’ machine which processes food waste into a liquid that be disposed of using the regular drainage system.
- The shop at the Kia Oval offers recyclable paper bags rather than plastic bags.
- Plastic straws and sauce sachets have not been used at the ground since 2018.
- The Club always seeks to partner with likeminded organisations and charities to allow us to constantly improve and innovate.
