During Season 4 of DP World ILT20, Desert Vipers have made several changes to reduce our impact on nature.
The most impactful thing that we’re doing, aside from reducing our carbon footprint, is by using better and more sustainable materials, mainly by eradicating needless plastic.
Our Season 3 Plastic Impact Report showed that we used 4,715 kg of plastic in Season 3, of which 87.5% was made of recycled materials. This is a huge improvement on Season 1 and 2, where we used 6,651 kg (2.4% recycled) and 7,262 kg (1.9% recycled), respectively. However, there is further to go. In Season 4, we are making several changes:
1. Eradicating single-use plastic water bottles from our League requirements with Aqualy
In hospitality in Season 4, we have switched from PET bottles (which you’ll see all five other teams using) to TetraPak, through a partnership with Aqualy. These bottles are Desert Vipers-branded.
TetraPak has a lower environmental impact than plastic (and other single-use materials), emitting just 160 kgCO2e per 1000 L of water in the Middle Eastern market. For comparison, virgin PET emits 287 kgCO2e per 1000 L, recycled PET is 264 kgCO2e per 1000 L, and a glass bottle is 781 kgCO2e per 1000 L. Aside from carbon emissions, it is less harmful to nature than plastic, so its overall environmental performance is impressive. Where single-use solutions are required, this is one of the best.
Moreover, this water was produced in the Middle East, so has travelled less distance to get to our matches.
Impact: 17,520 plastic bottles saved, saving 262 kg of plastic.
2. Preventing the release of microplastics with Cleaner Seas Group
The Desert Vipers have installed Indi™ – a washing machine microfibre filter – at our team hotel to capture microfibres released during washing, in a partnership with Cleaner Seas Group. Up to 700,000 microfibres are shed from clothing every time a washing machine is used, adding up to 91 million fibres leaving every washing machine, every year. By installing an Indi™ filter, the Desert Vipers are capturing these fibres for recycling, reducing the amount of microfibres polluting our oceans.
Impact: Millions of fibres of microplastics captured.
3. Reducing the amount of kit and continuing to use recycled materials with PALMFIT
In Season 4, we are continuing to reduce the amount of kit ordered, after reducing it by 16% across Team and Performance Kit in Season 3. This is done through reduced personalisation, using high-quality materials that last multiple seasons, and rethinking which members of the team should have which kit.
In addition, we are continuing to use recycled materials in our performance wear.
Impact: Targeting a further 20% reduction in Team and Performance Kit, saving a further 158 kg of plastic.
4. Using recycled ocean plastic in our sunglasses with Coral Eyewear
Coral Eyewear have become the Official Eyewear Supplier to Desert Vipers in Season 4, providing high-quality performance sunglasses made from ocean recycled plastic and bio-based materials. There are over 640,000 tonnes of abandoned fishing nets in our oceans, so every pair of Coral Eyewear actively contributes to reducing this amount, going beyond reducing negative impacts by also maximising positive impacts.
5. Continuing to bowl-out single-use plastic in partnership with Bluewater Group
This year, we have a new innovation; we have turned our water dispenser unit into an LED screen. This paves the way for a better commercial model, more fan engagement, and showcases innovation, so we expect this to be adopted worldwide.
Impact: 14,400 single-use plastic bottles saved, saving 216 kg of plastic.
6. Using reusable cutlery in hospitality at our matches
In Season 3, Desert Vipers requested for single-use plastic cutlery to be switched to wooden cutlery, after a successful trial at the Season 2 Sustainability Match. This request was granted at most, but not all games. In Season 4, Desert Vipers have requested for there to be no single-use plastic cutlery at all games, in line with the UAE’s regulations on single-use plastics.
Impact: 1,296 additional pieces of cutlery saved, saving 6 kg of plastic.
Cumulative Impact: 642 kg of plastic (or the equivalent amount of plastic as nearly 9 people in the UAE cumulatively consume per year).
Sustainability Spotlight – Aqualy
This blog’s Sustainability Spotlight features Aqualy, our Official Supplier. Aqualy is striving for a future where every sip is sustainable, plastic-free, and pure. Since 2015, Aqualy Company Group has been redefining premium water with innovative and sustainable solutions, offering a responsible alternative to the world’s beverage industry. Every sip of Aqualy is a step toward change. We also think that our branded Aqualy bottles look incredible!
About Carbon Happy World
At Carbon Happy World, we’re dedicated carbon accountants and ESG software consultants. We empower businesses to measure, manage, and significantly reduce carbon emissions. By providing a range of innovative solutions and insights, we help organisations achieve their carbon net zero goals and genuinely enhance their sustainability practices. As at Carbon Happy World every calculation starts a conversation.
