Cork Green Hub initiative set to give single use bottles 'the boot'

A new initiative aimed at reducing single use plastic has been implemented at the Stephen Ireland Astroturf Pitch in Cobh.

The Cobh Green Hub Project, supported by Cork County Council, is a collaboration between Cobh Tidy Towns, Cobh Zero Waste, Cobh Sustainable Communities, Cobh and Harbour Chamber, and the Southern Region Waste Management Planning Office.

As part of the project, a new water refill station has been installed at the Stephen Ireland Astroturf Pitch in Cobh and an existing tap at the promenade has been upgraded in an effort to reduce single use plastics.

Selected as one of six pilots nationally, the project aims to foster a community-led approach to drive local activity on circular economy and climate action.

Huge Reduction

Mayor of the County of Cork, Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll, said that the initiative should see a “huge reduction” in single use plastics in the sporting community in Cobh.

“It is great to see the council collaborating with communities to make changes on the ground,” said Mr Carroll. “Offering alternatives to single use plastic is so important, especially in the sports and training setting where all athletes need water to hydrate.

“The installation of this water refill station at the Stephen Ireland Astroturf Pitch should see a huge reduction in single use plastics and will encourage players to bring reusable water bottles to every training session and match.”

Cobh Wanderers AFC chairperson Frank McCall said that the water station is a “great addition” to the club’s facilities for players.

Cobh Tidy Towns vice chairperson Ruth Ring said that the club plans on encouraging both home and away teams to reduce their use of disposable plastics.

“If every person in Cobh chose to reuse and refill their water bottle, a dramatic collective effort could be made to help reduce unnecessary single use plastic bottles in Cobh,” she said. “We plan to raise awareness of the new water refill station to encourage the home clubs and visiting clubs to bring reusable water bottles and boot single use bottles.”