English Premier League soccer side Newcastle United will be one of the country’s first clubs to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles from its training ground.
The move will see an average of 48,000 single-use water bottles that are used each year completely eradicated at its training base in Benton. Instead players will be given BPA-free reusable water bottles that can be refilled at several points throughout the training facilities.
This isn’t the first eco initiative the Magpies have introduced, with the club becoming the world’s first carbon-positive soccer club in 2012.
The installation of a Pure Ionic water system provides filtered, mineral-rich water, which removes traces of chemicals and metals from tap water.
“Hydration is a key factor in the health and wellbeing of the players,” said Newcastle United’s head of sports science, Jamie Harley.
“There are key differences in the quality of different types of bottled water that we have used over the years, so we are pleased to be able to offer a permanent solution to support the players around training and games.
“Pure Ionic provides us with a complete training ground solution to give clean, balanced, mineral-rich drinking water in the restaurant, changing facilities, medical rooms and gym.
“If we can see the benefits on a physical level, while also improving our environmental impact, it’s a win-win situation.”
