First-team players from Crewe Alexandra FC and youth academy players from Macclesfield FC have teamed up with Cheshire East Council to champion better recycling habits as part of the authority’s Be the Big Difference campaign.
The players have taken part in a series of short videos that use football challenges to show how residents can recycle correctly at home and cut down on waste.
Filmed at Crewe’s training ground next to Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, and at Macclesfield’s Leasing.com Stadium, the videos mix football skills and competitive spirit with messages about putting the right items in the right waste bin.
The videos aim to raise awareness of how small actions – such as rinsing items, knowing what can and cannot be recycled, and recognising when items should not be going in any household bin – can make a big difference to the quality of recycling collected across the borough.
Coun David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East Council’s Environment and Communities Committee, said: “We’re really grateful to have the support of both clubs for our campaign, and their energy has really helped to bring these important messages to life in a way that’s memorable and reaches people of all ages.
“By putting the right things in the right bin, keeping problem items out of household waste – like batteries and electricals – and ensuring items that can be recycled don’t go to waste, residents can help us increase recycling rates and help make Cheshire East cleaner and greener.”
The football videos will be released across the council’s social media channels over the coming weeks.
James Beckett, Crewe Alexandra’s head of commercial, said: “We’re proud to support the campaign and use the influence of our players to promote positive habits in the community.
“If we can help make recycling simple, engaging and part of everyday thinking for supporters of all ages, then that’s a real win for everyone.”
For more information, visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/bethebigdifference.
