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Ajax to test sustainability innovations

Sustainability innovations will be tested at Ajax’s Johan Cruijff ArenA next year as part of the Reimagine Football initiative.

Backed by major European football organisations such as UEFA, City Football Group and Dutch giants Ajax, the campaign is challenging companies to come up with smart solutions with which they can reduce the CO2 footprint around football matches.

Promising innovations will be tested in Amsterdam’s Johan Cruijff ArenA and on the KNVB Campus in Zeist from the beginning of 2022.

In a statement, Ajax said sustainability innovations in the field of mobility and waste processing are being sought.

Ajax said that while Johan Cruijff ArenA is one of the most sustainable stadiums in the world it has several challenges. Officials wish to make more waste circular, with more than 60% of the 286,000 kilos of waste every year currently deemed residual.

An Ajax spokesperson added: “How can the carbon footprint of supporters and teams, who travel to and from stadiums and their club, be reduced? And how can waste in and around stadiums and clubs be reduced or made more circular? These are preferably solutions that do not hinder the visit of supporters but make it more pleasant.”

Reimagine Football said the sustainability project at Johan Cruijff ArenA is the first of three challenges that European football organisations will be organising in the coming year. Other themes are fan experience, and sports participation and performance.

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