We all need to do our bit for the environment. Whether it’s recycling, using reusable bags, or switching to LED lightbulbs; every small step makes a difference.
One place that has lots of lightbulbs for lighting and rubbish for recycling is your local sports club. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you head out to play golf or tennis, but the everyday running costs for electricity, water and waste quickly add up, leaving less money going towards what matters most – sport.
A charity working at the intersection of sport and the environment is helping sports clubs save money and reduce their environmental impact.
Litefoot is an award-winning charitable trust led by eleven NZ sporting heroes: Conrad Smith, Sarah Walker, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Kereopa, the Evers-Swindells twins, Michael Campbell, Barbara Kendall, Marina Erakovic, Selina Goddard and Moss Burmester. They have been leading by example by making changes in their own lives to reduce their environmental impact.
LiteClub is Leading the Efficiency Way
Litefoot’s lead initiative LiteClub is a free service available to sports clubs, which allows them to follow the lead of these top sportspeople.
LiteClub looks at electricity, water and waste as the three areas where efficiency can be improved. The goal is to reduce clubroom running costs, which frees up money to go back towards sport. By being more efficient with resources, the club has less of an impact on the environment too.
LiteClub’s field teams travel New Zealand in a van stocked with efficient products. LED lightbulbs, water saving devices, hot water cylinder wraps, pipe lagging and indoor waste sorting bins to help with recycling are all installed during their visit; transforming the club into an efficiency champion.
Since its launch in 2011, LiteClub has visited 1,539 clubs around the country, making changes calculated to save $8.7 million dollars for sport and prevent 9,584 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Improving Efficiencies in the Western Bay
Across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, Project LiteClub has been implemented in 54 sports clubs. TECT has supported the initiative since 2015 and this year provided a grant of $8,167 to help roll the project out across a further 5 sports clubs.
In the 54 clubs across the region, LED lighting upgrades and hot water pipe insulation are calculated to free up $272,580 over the lifetime of the products installed, and prevent 371 tonnes of carbon emissions. 92 waste sorting stations have been set up to make recycling more effective and easier for club volunteers to manage, while simple water saving devices installed in taps, showers and toilets will conserve more than 1.5 million litres of water each year.
Antonia Gerlach, General Manager – Operations at Litefoot says TECT’s support has been vital to rolling out LiteClub in the Western Bay, ensuring the service is free for sports clubs.
“For every $1 invested in the programme, over the lifetime of the free products installed, approximately $2.41 is saved for sport.
“Thanks to TECT’s support we can install these products at no cost to the clubs. By spending less on utilities that don't directly benefit grassroots sport, money can go back into coaching, buying new gear and keeping fees down to encourage participation. The products also reduce clubs’ environmental impact – it’s a win-win for everyone.”
To learn more about the initiative, and for tips on how you can reduce your impact at your workplace, club or at home, visit www.litefoot.nz.
