Partner Article

North East circular football boot initiative gains university validation to understand impact

A County Durham-based social enterprise helping to keep football boots out of landfill has strengthened its sustainability credentials following independent research support by Northumbria University through the Arrow innovation programme. 

Re:Play Sports Network, founded by parents Ben Fisher and Jon Dennis, is helping to tackle the problem of an estimated 13 million pairs of football boots discarded in the UK each year by collecting, restoring and reselling pre-loved boots at affordable prices.

The County Durham based business works with grassroots football clubs, schools, charities and waste sector partners to extend the life of football boots, helping families reduce costs while supporting a more sustainable approach to the game.

The idea emerged after Fisher and Dennis, whose sons played for the same grassroots football team, discussed the financial burden of regularly replacing outgrown boots. A survey of 150 parents at Durham United Football Club confirmed strong demand for a solution that could cut costs, reduce waste and generate income for local clubs.

Re:Play launched its first pilot with Durham United Football Club, introducing a boot donation scheme that paid the club £2 for every pair donated. The initiative collected hundreds of pairs of boots and raised more than £300 for the club through a single boot drive.

As the business grew, the founders turned to Arrow, an innovation support programme delivered in partnership by four of the region’s universities, to independently assess the environmental, social and economic impact of the model.

Researchers from Northumbria University analysed football boots to determine their recyclability and found that the complex mix of materials used means they cannot currently be recycled at scale. The study concluded that extending the lifespan of boots through reuse is currently the most effective way to reduce their environmental impact.

The findings have helped validate Re:Play’s business model and inform its future growth plans.

What began as a grassroots initiative now works with the Football Association and more than 30 football clubs across the UK. The organisation is also piloting a scheme with Durham County Council, which has introduced 12 football boot collection points at household waste recycling centres across County Durham.

Ben Fisher, co-founder of Re:Play Sports Network, said: 

“Arrow really helped us to understand and validate the environmental impact and social value of our work. There’s no way a small start-up could have funded the level of research and expert input we received. It has been hugely beneficial to our development.”

Dr Craig Hodgson, senior innovation associate at Arrow, added: 

“Our independent analysis showed that football boots are too materially complex to be recycled at scale with current technology, so extending their life through reuse is the most effective way to cut their environmental impact. It has given Re:Play a strong foundation to build on as it continues to grow. Providing a young business with tailored support in this way is a great example of what Arrow makes possible.”

Arrow provides bespoke innovation support to help North East organisations develop innovative new products, services and processes by connecting them with specialist knowledge, facilities and research expertise from the region’s universities

Arrow support is fully-funded for North East organisations thanks to funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement, and is delivered in partnership by Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland,

Discover how Arrow can support innovation in businesses based in County Durham, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland. 

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Arrow Innovation support .