Exeter City’s sustainable seating revolution

Before the roar of the crowd and the thrill of kick-off, Exeter City fans now have a unique way to unwind at St James Park: relaxing on benches made from recycled waste plastic, including the stadium's old seats.

These eco-friendly benches, installed ahead of last weekend’s home match against Lincoln City, are the result of a collaboration between Exeter City Football Club, Exeter City Council, and Bournemouth-based Circular 11. The innovative project transforms waste materials - including ocean plastics, household plastics, and discarded stadium seating - into practical and sustainable fan-friendly furniture.

Matt Hulland, Resource Recovery Manager for Exeter City Council and a member of the #Cans4City team, praised the project’s uniqueness:"As a club, we should all be very proud. This is totally unique, especially in football. No other club in English football has turned its own waste into funds to buy benches made from that same waste!"

One of the benches carries a heartfelt dedication, sponsored by Mike "Elvis" Summers and his sons Gabriel and Herbie in recognition of the support they received from Pete Eveleigh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pete, alongside his family, joined Exeter City player Pierce Sweeney, Hulland, and members of the #Cans4City team to unveil the benches.

Will Barrett, Head of Development for Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT) and a trustee of the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, celebrated the initiative: "This project showcases what makes Exeter City unique - creativity, community, and collaboration. It’s an honour to see how the generosity of fans and the hard work of volunteers have brought this vision to life."

The unveiling of the benches coincided with the EFL’s annual Week of Action, underscoring the vital work that happens behind the scenes at Exeter City Football Club.

Council Leader Phil Bialyk was on hand to see the benches firsthand, chatting with Andy Holloway from the club’s long-running #Cans4City scheme and Matt Hulland, Resource Recovery Manager at Exeter City Council. Impressed by the initiative, Cllr Bialyk remarked: "This is an excellent initiative that cuts down on waste by recycling materials. It’s great to see waste plastics, including old stadium seats, come full circle to benefit fans and the community."

The benches are the latest achievement of the #Cans4City scheme, a partnership between Exeter City FC and Exeter City Council that has championed recycling for nearly two decades. Launched in 2005 as a free way for fans to support the club, the initiative has collected over 12.5 tonnes of aluminium packaging - equivalent to 700,000 drink cans - since partnering with the Council in 2019.

Funds raised through the scheme have contributed to an array of community projects, from providing football kits for refugee team Exeter United to mental health awareness initiatives at the ECFC Academy. The programme also helped purchase a defibrillator for the club’s training ground and supported upgrades at St James Park.

Circular 11, known for its expertise in creating products from waste, brought the recycled benches to life. The collaboration highlights Exeter City’s commitment to sustainability and its role as a leader in green innovation.

For Andy Holloway of #Cans4City, the benches symbolize more than just sustainable seating: "This project shows how recycling can directly benefit our community while making a positive environmental impact. It’s incredible to see waste turned into something fans can use and enjoy."

As the initiative continues to grow, the club and council aim to inspire other communities to embrace innovative recycling efforts. For Exeter City, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a game plan that scores for the environment, the fans, and the city.

Fans looking to support similar initiatives are encouraged to donate recyclable materials to #Cans4City, with collection points available at St James Park throughout the year.