MCG looks for Boxing Day Ashes Test fans to consider environmental sustainability

As it prepares to host one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar and potentially the largest crowd to a sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) - managers of the Melbourne Cricket Ground - are calling on fans to help keep the MCG ‘green’ at this year’s Boxing Day Test.

Fans will be asked to consider their choices around environmental sustainability both while at the MCG and in their travel plans to and from the venue.

As part of the MCG’s Environmental Sustainability plan, the three ‘rs’ will be in place throughout the Test as simple initiatives that fans can follow: reduce, re-use and recycle.

Reduce is a way that fans can contribute to the environment before they arrive at the MCG. Catching public transport to the match will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions that will have effect on the wider community.

Re-Use relates to bringing your items to the Ground in re-usable bag. While cloaking facilities have returned to the MCG, ensure your bag can fit under your seat and can be used again and again.

Recycle. The MCG houses nearly 2,000 bins in the stadium, on the concourse and throughout the Yarra Park precinct. Fans can do their bit, by placing the items in the correct bins, so we can ensure the waste goes to providing life to the environment.

Advising that major events at the MCG on Boxing Day produce some of largest amounts of environmental waste, but provide a great opportunity for the MCG to take giant strides in sustainability, MCC General Manager - Facilities, Peter Wearne stated “it is a really exciting time for us to be welcoming fans back on masse to the Boxing Day Test, however, with that comes an opportunity to get patrons on side and to be thinking about the environment while at the MCG.

“Environment and sustainability is at the forefront of our operations and some of our key initiatives revolve around waste management, water recycling and energy efficiency.

“We’re really proud of some of the steps we’ve taken as the MCC, to make the MCG one of the most environmentally-sustainable stadiums in the world.

“We’re not here to make it a competition, we’re here to play on the same team as the rest of the world. And we’d love to see MCC members and sporting fans, whether you’ve come from near or far, put into practice some of these small steps that are going to make a big difference.”

A foundation Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) member and a signatory to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Initiative, the MCC’s management of the MCG ensures the venue retains its status as one of Australia’s most popular and iconic sporting grounds.

The Ground’s initiatives include the installation of the Yarra Park water recycling facility to produce recycled water for Yarra Park, Punt Road Oval and MCG amenities in 2012.

In April 2018, the MCG implemented an innovative organic dehydrator system, to turns its food and garden waste into a soil additive for the surrounding 12,000 metre² garden of Yarra Park.

Ahead of the Boxing Day Test in 2019, single-use plastics were phased out at the MCG, meaning items such as plastic straws, cutlery and plates are no longer available at the stadium, replaced by more eco-friendly options.

In February 2020, an energy-efficient upgrade to the MCG light towers was complete (35 years after their first installation), with 950 LED lights replacing 1200 metal halide lamps. The environmental impact to 43% reduction in required power, as well as reduced maintenance costs, reduced waste with the old metal halide lamps and a 50% reduction in light spill for the MCG precinct and surrounding residential area.

And in November 2020, the MCC, in partnership with Energy Australia, installed 220 solar panels onto the northern grandstand roof of the MCG. The power generated will be used to help run the water recycling facility, with excess electricity then transferred to lighting and power in other areas of the venue.

The MCG’s environmental efforts have seen the Melbourne Cricket Club take home nine awards across local, national and international organisations, for venue management and stadium environmental efforts.