Local football clubs significantly reduced their use of single-use bottles by saving 30,375 of such bottles from landfills during a pilot scheme.

The Play A Clean Game initiative, launched by environmental campaigners Green Tangerine in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, has led to a considerable increase in the use of reusable bottles.

The scheme, which ran for six months from January to June, involved three football clubs —Thorn Athletic in Johnstone, Pollok United, and Giffnock Soccer Centre.

The clubs have a combined total of 2,250 players.

(Image: Supplied) The players were given reusable bottles bearing their club logo.

The initiative resulted in a significant reduction in the use of single-use bottles, which dropped from 32 per cent to 18 per cent across the three clubs.

This is equivalent to 30,375 fewer plastic bottles being used.

Annette Thain, from the environmental group, said: "Green Tangerine and the football clubs involved were very pleased with the result.

"We thank all involved for their support, especially the young players who were very enthusiastic about helping to reduce plastic bottles and stop them littering their pitches."

Mark McGee, chairperson of Thorn Athletic, said: "We are one of the largest clubs in the area and we're delighted to get involved with Play A Clean Game.

"We have a lot of young people we can influence and a lot of users of single-use plastic bottles, so it seemed an ideal opportunity to reduce that."

(Image: Supplied)Following the success of the pilot scheme, Green Tangerine hopes more clubs will join the drive to "Play A Clean Game".

Annette added: "The wider aim is to educate more clubs to adopt more environmentally friendly practices in waste, transport energy and events."

The project was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.