Forest Green scores with world-first vegan kit

A football club known for its sustainability is setting new standards with its new kit.

Forest Green Rovers, widely recognised as the “most sustainable football club” in the world, has unveiled the first fully vegan certified football kit for the 2025-26 season. 

Partnering with official teamwear provider Reflo and the Vegan Society, the club has introduced a bold leopard print design for both home and away shirts.

Made using Reflo’s innovative Reloop™ technology, each shirt is crafted from recycled mono-fibre materials and designed to be fully recyclable, supporting a circular economy in sportswear.

Officials say the home kit will be worn for two seasons to reduce waste and lessen the pressure on fans to buy new designs annually. 

Dale Vince, chairman of Forest Green Rovers, said: “We like to push the boundaries on sustainability issues, including what our shirts are made from because the materials we use to make things really matters. 

“In pursuit of the most sustainable football kit we’ve experimented in previous seasons with both bamboo and with coffee grounds. 

“This season our new strip pushes the boundary again – we’ve created the world’s first fully certified vegan football kit, by making sure the dyes we use, which are an often-overlooked ingredient, are plant based.  

“Our new shirt is also fully recyclable and will be turned back into future items by Reflo. 

“I’m really pleased to unveil our bold, bright new kit that’s inspired by nature and helping nature - that’s pretty fabulous.” 

Alex Markland, senior account manager at The Vegan Society, added: “This is another exciting development in The Vegan Society's relationship with Forest Green Rovers. 

“We’ve been working with Dale and the team for eight years and have awarded our Vegan Trademark certification in a number of areas of the club's operations but this kit is the first in the world to be certified vegan and is the most visible demonstration yet of Forest Green Rovers’ pioneering approach to sustainability in football.”

With sponsors including Ecotricity, Smyths Toys and DPD, the kit also features the club’s “Three Stars” symbol, reflecting its long-term ambition to gain promotion.

Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Doncaster-based Reflo, added: “This is exactly what Reflo was built for – pushing what’s possible for sustainable performancewear. 

“Partnering with Forest Green Rovers to create the world’s first fully vegan shirt, made from recycled materials with the ability to be recycled at end of life. 

“It’s a milestone moment for us. 

“FGR have led the way in showing football can be a force for good, and we’re proud to help them take another step forward with a shirt that looks amazing, performs at the highest level and helps keep kit out of landfill for good.” 

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