Some 25,000 reusable bottles will be given away across the first four days of this week's England v India Test at The Oval
Friday 7 September 2018 16:40, UK
The Kia Oval has saved more than six tonnes of plastic waste since joining forces with Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign a year ago.
The venue launched a three-year partnership with Sky Ocean Rescue ahead of England's third Test against South Africa last summer, after learning the equivalent of four rubbish trucks' worth of plastic is dumped into the ocean during just one over.
The Kia Oval is now on course to become plastic free by 2020 after ensuring 690,000 pieces of single-use plastic - equating to more than six tonnes - have dodged landfill already this year.
Cricket fans coming to the Oval for the fifth Test against India from Friday will again have the opportunity to play their part in reducing the scourge of single-use plastic.
Some 25,000 reusable bottles will be given away across the first four days of the Test at the two main entrances to the iconic venue. A reusable beer cup scheme will also be in operation, meaning around 20,000 plastic pint glasses will be saved from the rubbish heap across the Test match.
Surrey chief executive Richard Gould said: "Increasing the sustainability of our operation is a major priority at the Kia Oval as we work towards our goal of becoming single-use plastic free by 2020.
"It is a difficult journey, involving work in every area of our business and initiatives like this with Sky Ocean Rescue really help move us in the right direction."
Fiona Ball, Sky Ocean Rescue's Head of Responsible Business, added: "Single-use plastic is a huge issue. Trillions of pieces of plastic are floating around our oceans, with another eight million tonnes introduced to this ecosystem every year. It never decomposes and will remain there forever.
"Working with the Kia Oval team has not only helped us bring this issue to life for an army of sports fans but also helped them make simple life changes that collectively make a big difference."
Surrey and England all-rounder Sam Curran said: "It's been a great week and it's my home ground as well.
"I've known quite a lot about the Sky Ocean Rescue campaign here at the Kia Oval. I actually came to watch the Test match here last year.
"I saw the great work they are doing. Being involved here will make it a pretty special week, I think.
"They've saved six tonnes of plastic over the last year, which is a pretty impressive figure. Hopefully, they can continue that great work."
Sky Ocean Rescue aims to help everyone make simple everyday changes to stop our oceans drowning in plastic. Find out more about the issues affecting our oceans and how you can #PassOnPlastic by visiting skyoceanrescue.com.
