Surf Coast Football Club taking eco-friendly approach

IN RESPONSE to its members calling for improved recycling of cans, Surf Coast FC is taking an environmentally-sustainable approach to season 2025.

The Coasters have introduced four new bins as part of their new sponsorship with Victorian-based recycling machinery company CEMAC technologies.

The blue bins, which are for cans and bottles only, will be placed around the pitch and pavilion and will be in addition to the Surf Coast Shire’s recycling bins.

Club vice-president Steve Christou said it was great to have CEMAC supporting the club’s new approach, and the sponsorship would cover the cost of the bins.

“Last year, we weren’t doing it and people would ask why aren’t we [recycling properly], so there’s been a real push from members to do it, to get more environmentally-friendly with the cans.”

Christou said some of the club’s juniors were keen to contribute by delivering cans and bottles to collection depots.

Former senior coach and committee member Denis Holtgrefe has fostered the partnership with CEMAC, where he started work as a partnerships manager last year.

The club has also maintained its sponsors and will don the same playing kit and apparel for the second-consecutive season.

“For too long, there has been an unnecessary cycle of replacing perfectly good sports apparel just to keep up with changing trends,” merchandise co-ordinator Tom Langman said.

“Most of the gear worn by our players and members is durable enough to last for at least two seasons.

“Simply discarding it in the name of fashion is not a good enough reason for us to justify the waste we produce.”