Circular Cricket
10th July 2024
2.00 – 5.00
The Kia Oval
SE11 5SS
Introduction
Cricket is the second most popular sport in the UK; however, the production of cricket gear is characterised by wasteful product lifecycles. 1624 tonnes of cricket gear waste are estimated to be produced annually, with, for example, 351,000 pairs of pads (552 tonnes) coming to the end of their 1st life annually. The cricket gear lifecycle currently features little repair and refurbishment, and limited reuse. Additionally, the manufacture of cricket gear is predominantly carried out in Asia, thus increasing the embedded carbon of imported cricket gear.
The event will disseminate the findings from four research projects related to circularity and sustainability of cricket gear.
Action Research
The Centre for Sustainable Design ® at the University for the Creative Arts is currently undertaking research in relation to cricket gear, circularity and sustainability through the following four projects: Circular Cricket, Advancements in Circular Cricket Gear and Cricket Gear Reuse, and the Lord’s Taverners Cricket Kit Recycling Unit Carbon Calculator.
Circular Cricket Project (CC) [Prototyping and Socially Engaged Manufacture of Cricket Pads, using Circular Design, Biomaterials, Recycled Materials and Component Reuse] has challenged existing practices in the design and production of cricket gear in the UK. Building on the findings from two previous research surveys amongst recreational players, a third survey was recently completed that reinforced interest in the use of plant based vegan leathers, and the repair and refurbishment of cricket gear. In addition to research, the project developed, produced, and tested circular cricket batting pad (CBP) prototypes made from biomaterials, recycled materials, and reused components. The project has also completed training in making and repair and refurbishment (R&R) of circular cricket batting pads and gloves through engagement with disadvantaged groups in Yorkshire.
Advancements in Circular Cricket Gear (ACCG) has completed research into the potential use of renewable and recycled materials and components that could be used cricket gear and can be sourced/produced within the UK/near European countries. The goal is to increase circularity and reduce embedded carbon in value chains. ACCG also developed and tested prototype cricket pads substituting existing high impact materials and collaborated with Lord’s Taverners Cricket Kit Recycling Unit (LTCKRU) to explore opportunities for repair, refurbishment, and disassembly.
Cricket Gear Reuse catalysed and supported cricket gear and clothing reuse projects and behaviours through three pilots with cricket clubs that generated 450 items of items. In two of the pilots around 50% of the two hundred items collected were redistributed locally to a local state school, a refugee, and families, whilst also avoiding landfill and reducing carbon emissions. Cricket gear reuse has multiple benefits including the extension of the life of cricket gear and clothing, reducing waste (environmental), reducing financial barriers to accessing equipment (economic) and enable participation with benefits for mental and physical health (social). The project is looking to scale in Surrey and potentially in the UK working with partners.
Lord Taverners Cricket Kit Reuse Carbon Calculator project has developed a tool to estimate carbon emissions savings associated with cricket gear and clothing that has been supplied to Lord’s Taverners Cricket Kit Recycling Unit (LTCKRU) for reuse within the UK and overseas. The calculator helps estimate the overall potential carbon emission savings possible through the reuse of cricket kit and at the same time provide insight into the potential carbon savings available from different categories and individual items of cricket kit and clothing.
Objectives
This event will disseminate and discuss the findings from the four projects highlighted above.
Agenda
2:00-2:30 Registration and networking
2:30-2:40 Introduction: Circular Cricket (CC), Cricket Gear Reuse (CGR), Advancements in Circular Cricket Gear (ACCG) and LTCKRU Carbon Calculator projects
2:40-2:50 Prototype development and user learning: circular cricket batting pads and gloves
2:50-3:00 Potential local biomaterials and recycled materials that might be used in cricket gear production.
3:00-3:10 CGR project: findings from three pilots in Surrey
3:10-3:20 CC project: findings from the repair and refurbishment workshop in Yorkshire
3:20-3:30 ACCG project: overall findings
3:30-4:00 Break and networking
4:00-4:10 Learnings, challenges and future use and development of the carbon calculator for LTCKRU Carbon Calculator.
4:10-4:20 Opportunities, challenges and conclusions
4:20-4:50 Roundtable discussions and report-back
4:50-5:00 Concluding remarks
Audience
The event is relevant to a series of stakeholders including but not limited to:
Registration
The event is free of charge, but you will need to register by sending your name, job title and organisation to rcarruthers@uca.ac.uk. On receipt, you will be sent confirmation and directions to the event.
Funding
Funding for the four projects has been provided by different funding bodies. The CC project has been funded by UKRI AHRC through its Design Accelerator programme: DA is part of Future Observatory, the Design Museum’s national research programme for the green transition. Funding for ACCG has been provided by UKRI via University for the Creative Arts, AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). Funding for the CGR project has been provided by UKRI via Strategic Priorities Fund. Funding for the LTCKRU Carbon Calculator has been provided by UKRI via University for the Creative Arts, AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).