Features

MCG makes green commitment, signs Dettol deal

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is being fitted with solar panels as part of a renewable energy drive, while the stadium has also entered into a partnership with cleaning products manufacturer Dettol ahead of the upcoming Boxing Day Test.

Last year, Melbourne Cricket Club, which manages the iconic 100,000-seat venue, became a signatory of the United Nations Sports for Climate Change Action Framework and the body has since been considering ways to step up its renewable energy efforts.

Energy-efficient LED sports lights were fitted at the stadium last year, while single-use plastics are also being phased out. The MCG has also fitted a number of Simply Cups recycling stations to minimise waste and in 2012 it installed the Yarra Park water recycling facility.

The latest green initiative being carried out at the MCG is the installation of solar panels on the roof of the venue’s north stand. Australian newspaper The Age reports that the installation began last month and the panels will be used to run the Yarra Park water recycling facility.

Peter Wearne, the MCC’s general manager of facilities, told The Age: “We want to ensure we use all the power that’s generated from the solar panels. As we have such a massive base load ourselves, we don’t want to push any excess electricity generated back into the grid.

“Over the past 10 years, the MCG has been on a journey of marked sustainability improvements, from water consumption and waste management, to energy efficiency and carbon emissions.”

Meanwhile, Dettol has agreed a two-year deal to become the official hygiene partner of the MCG. The deal has been signed as the stadium prepares to host the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India.

As part of the deal, more than 275 instant hand sanitisation stations have been installed throughout the stadium to ensure players, fans and staff can easily access Dettol’s germ protection products.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said: “The wellbeing of all visitors is our number one priority and we hope that through this partnership and protective initiatives, fans will feel secure and confident to return to MCG, whether it is for the cricket, the footy or to visit the Australian Sports Museum.”

It was announced earlier this month that up to 30,000 fans will be in attendance on each day of this year’s Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It will mark the first major sporting event with fans at the ground since the Women’s T20 World Cup final on March 8.

Image: Richard Munckton/CC BY 2.0/Edited for size