Belgian Pro League’s Union Saint-Gilloise takes centre stage with eco-responsibility initiatives
Brussels-based Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has been taking strides in the field of environmental sustainability and green initiatives, working in partnership with several eco-friendly companies.
USG has partnered with local family-run business called Eco-Multi for cleaning supplies that will be used at Stade Joseph Marien. Sustainable toilet paper company, The Good Roll, which makes its paper by 100% recycling without the use of chlorine, colours and fragrances, will be supplying toilet rolls and hand paper towels at the stadium.
EcoLine is another sustainability-focused business that will provide ecological products such as toilet paper, hand towels and soap dispensers. For printing sheets, the club will work in cohorts with Paperwise, which uses agricultural waste, including leaves and stems left on the ground, to transform them into printing sheets.
In partnership with Coca Cola, USG became the first football club in Belgium to experiment with recycling stations in 2020/21 – with the aim of recycling 100% of the bottles used in and around the stadium. Single-use plastic contributes to a large accumulation of plastic waste and in order to battle this, eco-cups are used during matchdays and events. One can even get a refund of one euro once the eco-cup is returned to the bars!
Vegan burgers will also be supplied on matchdays in order to counter excessive meat supply that in turn contributes to excessive emissions of greenhouse gas. While traditional printed tickets are available, the use of e-tickets is being encouraged in order to reduce the use of printed paper, which can save a lot of trees.
Apart from all these, energy provider Eneco supplies gas and electricity at the Stade Joseph Marien. The company has the objective to become the most sustainable energy supplier in Belgium with the production of 100% green electricity by 2025.
USG serves as an example to other football clubs for taking charge in the field of environmental friendliness and responsibility.
