Desert Vipers are set to host their second annual Sustainability Match on Saturday, January 18, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium. The initiative aims to spotlight the team’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting environmental awareness.
Players and support staff will don special green kits, inviting fans to join in by wearing green to show their support for sustainability.
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According to the Vipers’ Sustainability Lead, Ben Hardy-Jones, this year’s focus is on making team apparel as environmentally friendly as possible.
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“Our kit is made from fully recycled materials this year, reducing our carbon footprint by around 50 percent,” Hardy-Jones shared on the Vipers Voices podcast. “Additionally, our partner, PalmFit, is a local UAE manufacturer, which reduces the footprint from kit transport by eight percent. Altogether, we’ve achieved a roughly 60 percent reduction in our carbon footprint in this area.”
The team has also eliminated single-use plastic packaging for their kits, opting for loose delivery to save thousands of packaging items annually. Water-based dyes were used for kit coloring, further minimising harmful chemical use.
Building on last season’s successes, which included phasing out single-use plastics through a partnership with Bluewater, this year’s innovations extend to fan jerseys. Manufactured by D-Grade, the jerseys are made from recycled plastic bottles collected during last season’s Sustainability Match.
“Fans are not just wearing the shirts; they’re contributing to how they’re made through their sustainable actions,” Hardy-Jones explained.
The match, set to start at 2 pm, will feature various green initiatives, including fitness sessions for children and a fan zone with activities focused on health and well-being. The team will also trial new measures to further reduce emissions, such as adjusting air conditioning temperatures and exploring the removal of dairy from hospitality menus.
“There’s plenty to look forward to as we continue our journey toward sustainability,” Hardy-Jones said.
Desert Vipers’ Sustainability Match is a testament to their dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation, both on and off the field. Fans can expect an engaging and eco-conscious experience while cheering for their team in Dubai this Saturday.
