Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process: Wembley Stadium has staged some of the nation’s most memorable moments of the last century, but now the hallowed turf of the national stadium is set to create its own piece of history. Wembley Stadium connected by EE has developed a unique new process to make its famous pitch 100% […]

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro: Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, been appointed as the only authorised dealer for Toro fine turf and groundscare machinery in Ulster. It’s been a record-breaking start for the dealer with eight new members of staff recruited to accommodate the increase in business and further […]

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process: Wembley Stadium has staged some of the nation’s most memorable moments of the last century, but now the hallowed turf of the national stadium is set to create its own piece of history.

Wembley Stadium connected by EE has developed a unique new process to make its famous pitch 100% recyclable. The project is believed to be a first in the world of football.

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

It is the result of a meticulous two-year plan to find a suitable solution to recycling modern-day football pitches, which are a hybrid of grass and synthetic plastic.

A large amount of professional playing surfaces in today’s game contain plastic to make them more durable. Hybrid pitches have become popular because they offer increased reliability in variable weather and can be used more for multiple purposes.

However, the recycling of old hybrid pitches has been a challenge. The plastic contained within the hybrid pitch means they do not break down naturally, and the majority of old pitches are sent to waste landfill sites at the end of their life-cycle.

Now, the team at Wembley Stadium have come up with a process which means the plastic can be extracted from the pitch and repurposed. In the first of its kind, they have created a bench, made entirely out of plastic from a pitch that saw the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Lauren James and Mary Earps all perform on.

Karl Standley is the Grounds Manager at Wembley Stadium. He said: “Extracting the plastic from a hybrid pitch is notoriously difficult, due to its compound and structure. When we first mooted the idea of recycling it, we were told it couldn’t be done. However, we were determined to find a sustainable answer to the problem.

“It’s been a long journey, testing and re-testing, but we have finally come up with a solution we are happy with.

“Creating something from a pitch that has had world class players perform on it is the ultimate memento. I am excited about what else we can possibly create in the future.”

Since the new stadium opened in 2007, Wembley has been committed to developing sustainable initiatives to ensure it is one of the greenest stadia in the world.

The team already recycled large elements of the pitch (rootzone and sand) back into grassroots pitches and wanted to take a lead in the research and development of a 100% sustainable process for the type of hybrid pitches installed at Wembley Stadium.

They worked with recycling specialists Circular 11 to find a suitable solution. Connor Winter from Circular 11 said: “The full circle pitch has been one of the most technically demanding and exciting projects that we’ve worked on to date, and we’re really proud to be a part of this pioneering project.

“It demonstrates that there are huge opportunities to increase plastic recycling when companies have unrelentingly high standards about what happens to the materials they use, as Wembley does, and shows the potential for composite technology to transform previously unrecyclable plastic into a resource.”

Wembley Stadium now hopes the process will pave the way for other stadiums across the UK and Europe to become more sustainable.

Karl added: “As more stadiums become multi-purpose venues, hosting a variety of sports, music and entertainment shows, there is a need to use more hybrid carpet surfaces throughout the year.

“By ensuring old pitches don’t go to landfill we can create a cycle that will ultimately reduce our impact on the environment and benefit community clubs up and down the country for a long time to come.”

The stadium team estimate that around 50 benches could be created from one pitch with scope to develop the recycled plastic into other uses within grassroots football.

The prototype bench will be placed within the stadium footprint in memory of a stadium employee who passed away last year.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

March 25, 2024/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro: Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, been appointed as the only authorised dealer for Toro fine turf and groundscare machinery in Ulster.

It’s been a record-breaking start for the dealer with eight new members of staff recruited to accommodate the increase in business and further plans for expansion.

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Although the appointment is relatively new, the history between Keys Brothers and Reesink Turfcare is enduring. They’ve been in partnership since 2018 when the company was chosen as a service centre for Reesink, delivering customers exceptional support and after-sales services.

Andy Keys, director at Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd, says: “Working as a service centre for Reesink was a successful endeavour, so it made sense for that relationship to evolve into us becoming a dealer. We’re 12 months into the relationship and delighted to report a record-breaking start with sales numbers exceeding all expectations.”

Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd has over 25 years of experience in horticultural equipment servicing and repairs, stocking a wide range of new and used machinery as well as an extensive range of spare parts for all its brands.

Reesink and Toro have proven to be an ideal fit for the business’ customer base of golf courses, councils, education authorities and sports centres in Hillsborough, Lisburn and across Northern Ireland.

Andy says: “We focus on delivering high performance, superior quality machines and exceptional after-sale service. The combination of Toro being a leading brand when it comes to quality machines and performance, the backup and service Reesink provides, and the face-to-face contact, social media content and industry training we offer, have all contributed to our success.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, says its notable how the business has focused its attention on its new customer base for great results already: “Since the appointment Keys Brothers’ has focused on winning back business and nurturing relationships, and has in turn amassed a sizeable order bank. Simply putting themselves back in front of customers on a regular basis is proving its worth.

“Their workshops have grown in strength with the additional workload, and they’ve recently recruited additional technicians to the team. If they continue in the manner, then we will have a terrific outlet for the Toro golf and commercial brands for the future.”

To find out more about the complete collection of turfcare and transport options from Reesink Turfcare, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process: Wembley Stadium has staged some of the nation’s most memorable moments of the last century, but now the hallowed turf of the national stadium is set to create its own piece of history.

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro: Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, been appointed as the only authorised dealer for Toro fine turf and groundscare machinery in Ulster.

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT