Belgian soccer club La Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is tackling climate change one jersey at a time. Under its "Union Inspires" umbrella, the club has committed to keeping one of its three shirts for two consecutive seasons, breaking with the industry norm of annual kit refreshes. This practical step acknowledges the textile industry's substantial environmental footprint, responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
While most soccer clubs capitalize on the commercial opportunity of new kit launches every year, Union is consciously sacrificing potential merchandise revenue to minimize waste and reduce its ecological impact. The approach represents a growing awareness within sports organizations that sustainability efforts must extend beyond symbolic gestures to meaningful operational changes.
TREND BITE
Sports teams and athletes are cultural leaders. And for supporters, the team shirt is a deeply symbolic object. By making the jersey itself a site of sustainability, Union is sliding environmental responsibility into the heart of fan identity. Instead of equating support with constant consumption of the latest gear, the initiative encourages fans to wear their existing jerseys with pride, extending the lifespan of garments and normalizing slower consumption patterns.
