News article
Upcycling initiative repurposes waste football shirts
The English Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion has launched a new collection with upcycling firm FC88, which reused material from misprinted jerseys to manufacture new products to be sold in the club shop.
Brighton had roughly 500 youth kits that couldn’t be sold due to a misprint, with FC88 repurposing the fabric for use in two new products, bum bags and bucket hats.
FC88’s mission is to save football apparel from landfill and incinerators by reworking them into new pieces. The two new Brighton products were hand-crafted by a team of craftspeople in FC88’s Brighton-based studio, which reused as much material as possible.
“What makes this collaboration between Brighton & Hove Albion and FC88 so special is the hands-on approach at every stage,” said Nicole Bekkers, Founder and Chief Executive of FC88.
“Everything has been carefully crafted in Brighton, giving the collection a distinct local flavour and a unique story behind every piece. The upcycling atelier is just two miles down the road from the club.
“Each upcycled item is more than just a product; it’s a testament to the creativity and talent of Brighton’s local craftspeople. Fans will be wearing a piece of the city’s heart and soul with every item in this collection.”
Tom Harris, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Sustainability Manager, added: “The club is committed to finding innovative and sustainable solutions that will reduce our environmental impact and inspire our fans.
“Not only are these new products made from material that would otherwise be waste, but they are produced in Brighton, supporting the local economy and resulting in fewer emissions from transportation.”
Images: Courtesy of Brighton & Hove Albion