ClubDouble win for LFC and The Red Way at SEAL Business Sustainability Awards

Already recognised as the greenest club in the Premier League thanks to its innovative The Red Way strategy, these latest globally recognised accolades further demonstrate LFC’s commitment to sustainability and its dedication to lead the way in sustainable standards in sport.

The Red Way was announced as winner of the Environmental Initiative Award, which honours the best environmental and sustainability campaigns and practices across global businesses.

LFC Retail also won the Sustainable Product Award – which honours innovative and impactful products purpose-built for a sustainable future – for its LFC 22/23 Home Bear.

The teddy bears, inspired by the 2022-23 LFC home kit, are manufactured and stuffed with polyester made from 100 per cent recycled plastic waste, with approximately 14 bottles used to make each eco-friendly toy.

These latest awards highlight the many improvements that have been made by the club since the launch of its pioneering The Red Way initiative in January 2021. It was then that LFC set ambitious targets to achieve sustainability throughout its organisation, to create a better future for its people, its communities, and the planet. 

The Red Way’s sustainability highlights to date include the introduction of renewably sourced electricity and gas for the club’s UK-operated sites, and locally sourced food from the north west of England, which reduces food miles and supports the local economy.

Home-grown vegetables from the Academy and Anfield allotments are used by club chefs to feed players, staff and fans. 

At the AXA Training Centre and Academy sites, inner-city nature has been given a helping hand with more than 900 trees, hedges, bushes and wildflower plugs planted, bug and hedgehog houses, bird boxes and bird feeders.

The club is also a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and is committed to the higher ambition level, recently completing a carbon emissions inventory.

The SEAL Awards celebrate the companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability and develop innovative initiatives that will positively impact the environment for centuries to come.

Award applicants are judged on the following criteria: impact metrics, innovation/uniqueness of the initiative, sharing of insights and best practices, and investment of organisational leadership capital.

Part of the entry submission for LFC included its innovative work with purpose-led club partners Quorn and SC Johnson, working together to make significant impacts beyond sport.

With Quorn, the plant-based food company on a mission to get more people into eating vegetarian or vegan alternatives, last season alone led to 82,000 kgCO2 equivalent savings across food offerings on LFC sites.

While alongside SC Johnson, a family company at work for a better world, LFC is helping to reduce single-use plastic, support initiatives around responsible waste management on all club sites, including Anfield, and education opportunities on this topic with the community, staff and supporters.

Ben Latty, executive sponsor of The Red Way at LFC, said: “This is yet another great achievement for The Red Way and LFC Retail, as we continue to create and build a sustainable business, and a sustainable club.

“As a football club with a global fanbase we’re proud to be leading the way on important environmental issues in football and beyond sport. There is so much more to do, but the club has created a solid foundation and is committed to building on this achievement.

“We are very aware of the responsibility we hold as a global football club to help inspire and encourage positive behaviour change. As we move forward, we will constantly evaluate the way we operate, to operate in the most sustainable way.

“We will continue to strive to provide the tools and opportunities for everyone connected to the club to take meaningful actions that will create a healthy planet and thriving communities.”

For further information on LFC’s The Red Way, visit liverpoolfc.com/theredway.