News article
Twickenham repurposes cups into benches
Twickenham Stadium and Lyfecycle, which aims to stop plastic from entering the ocean, have teamed up to turn plastic cups from events into team benches for use across grassroots rugby.
The move follows the launch of the ‘self-destructing’ plastic cup last year and a series of innovations from the 82,000-capacity London venue to promote circular solutions to events-based waste.
Nils Braude, Managing Director at Twickenham, said: “It’s important that all of our customers know that every time they hold an event in Twickenham, they are directly and positively affecting grassroots rugby. It’s not always as visible as this, so it’s nice to give them a picture – literally – of their waste being transformed from rubbish to a really useful piece of kit for local rugby.”
The stadium’s cups used at the Autumn Nations Series were collected and repurposed into sustainable benches, thanks to the venue’s collaboration with Lyfecycle and the organisation’s community recycling partners Impact Solutions and Circular 11.
These cups were cleaned and shredded before being mixed with recycled plastic, melted and moulded into planks for the bench.
"We may battle it out on the pitch, but the fight against plastic pollution requires all of us to be on the same team."
Connor Winter, Co-Founder at Circular 11, explained: “The bench is expected to last for decades, but when it eventually reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled into a new timber alternative product. We may battle it out on the pitch, but the fight against plastic pollution requires all of us to be on the same team.
“This unique donation from Twickenham Stadium and Lyfecycle will serve as a reminder that we can all make a difference, no matter how big the challenge may seem. Just as we tackle our opponents with determination, we must also tackle the issue of plastic waste. Together, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable world for generations to come.”
The Lyfecycle benches are already being used as part of the Rugby Football Union’s ‘Good for Rugby’ initiative.
Braude added: “Twickenham Stadium is proud to be at the forefront of sustainability efforts in the sports industry. However, we recognise that this achievement would not have been possible without the support of our guests.
“By participating in our recycling and waste reduction efforts, they have shown their commitment to a more sustainable future. We hope that this bench will serve as a powerful symbol of the positive impact that we can create when we work together as a team – both on and off the field.”
Image: Twickenham Stadium