A documentary revealed there is no viable plan to recycle 3G football pitches.GETTY IMAGES
New fears "emerged about the environmental toll of 3G pitches on generations to come," with a TV documentary having revealed that there is "no viable plan" to recycle the "huge numbers of surfaces" the FA is "investing in heavily." Dutch investigative program Zembla discovered "two enormous dumps of worn-out plastic pitches" on the site of companies in the Netherlands that were supposed to be recycling them. The FA plans to build £200M ($262M) of 3G pitches in 30 towns and cities across football "hubs" over the next 10 years. There is "only one recycling plant in Europe that can break down and purify the different elements of 3G pitches," located in Herning, Denmark (London TELEGRAPH, 9/12).
The public was told it has a "last chance" to voice concerns over the future of Crystal Palace Sports Centre. The venue, which could have parts demolished next year, is "in the midst of a review" instigated by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, with a report set to be handed to him in the new year. Already 15,000 people have signed a petition to save athletics at the venue, which is losing around £1M ($1.3M) a year (London EVENING STANDARD, 9/13).
