A survey of recreational cricket players across England and Wales has revealed significant interest in using repaired, refurbished, or vegan leather cricket gear. The findings, published by the Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD) at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), show that 87% of players expressed a desire to embrace more sustainable options for their equipment. The research, led by CfSD Director and former club cricketer Professor Martin Charter, highlights a shift in attitude that could lead to cricket becoming more environmentally conscious.
The survey, conducted in four phases, began with a pilot in August 2023 involving 42 players. The subsequent phases, which took place between January and July 2024, surveyed 1,604 respondents, including a mix of male and female participants. While the first phase focused on male cricketers, the later phases achieved a more balanced 70-30 gender split.
The survey aimed to explore cricketers’ attitudes towards the reuse, repair, and refurbishment (R&R) of gear, as well as the use of plant-based vegan leathers. The high level of interest in sustainability, with 87% supporting the concept of R&R and 84% indicating they would prefer to repair or refurbish equipment rather than buy new, was one of the standout findings. Charter noted that such enthusiasm warrants further investigation, with focus groups planned to delve deeper into the subject.
However, concerns about the durability and quality of repaired or refurbished gear were raised by 10% of respondents, highlighting a potential barrier to widespread adoption.
The survey also found that 75% of participants had previously engaged in some form of self-repair, particularly for cricket bats (32%), batting pads (18%), and gloves (15%). This high level of self-repair interest suggests that, with the right resources, players could be more willing to extend the lifespan of their gear. Notably, 51% preferred video-based online tutorials as a way to learn how to repair their equipment.
As part of the CfSD’s broader research into sustainable cricket gear, the second and third phases of the survey were linked to the “Advancements in Circular Cricket Gear” project, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The final phase was conducted under the Circular Cricket project, which forms part of the Future Observatory programme, a national initiative run by the Design Museum to support the green transition.
A key issue identified in the survey was the lack of awareness around the environmental impact of cricket equipment. More than half (58%) of the players surveyed had not considered the environmental consequences of their gear, and 70% were unaware of any programmes aimed at reducing waste in the cricket industry.
In terms of gear longevity, the survey found that nearly half of the players kept their batting pads and gloves for only two to three seasons, suggesting a relatively short lifecycle for equipment. Charter commented that this finding was surprising, given that earlier surveys of older players indicated that gear often lasted more than eight seasons.
“The growing interest in vegan leather cricket gear and R&R services is promising,” said Charter, adding that the next step is to ensure that these sustainable options are both affordable and widely accessible.