FAQs
About the campaign
What is Football Rebooted?
Football Rebooted is an environmental campaign run by energy supplier, Utilita. It aims to save one million pairs of good quality football boots from landfill and get them back onto the feet of football players across the UK.
Why is Utilita behind the campaign?
Utilita is the only energy supplier created to help households use less energy, in the interest of the pocket, and most importantly, our planet. Our approach is the most environmentally-friendly in the UK energy market. We take pride in that.
Utilita is a major supporter of British Football from grassroots through to the Premier League. Utilita is the Official Partner of the biggest school football competition in the UK, Utilita EFL Kids & Girls Cup, which features over 2,500 schools. As well as being an Official Supporter of the EFL.
Utilita is a Proud Principal Partner of the English Schools Football Association (ESFA).
During the Covid pandemic, Utilita published two research-based reports revealing the challenges that grassroots football clubs faced, and lobbied the Government for improved support.
Who is the campaign ambassador?
The campaign has been created with the support of environmentalist and former England & Premier League goalkeeper, David James MBE. David has been involved at every step of the creation of the campaign, from joining focus groups with footballing families, through to visiting clubs to understand the challenges being faced. David’s interest in the environment makes him the perfect campaign ambassador.
How does the campaign work?
Football Rebooted works by making it free and easy for people to donate the boots they no longer need so they can be claimed and reallocated to those who can use them. There are 3 main ways to get involved:
How to donate boots.
Anyone with a spare pair of football boots (or astro turf boots) can request an environmentally-friendly ‘boot bag’ and send them to us for FREE. Each bag will comfortably fit 2 adult pairs or 3 smaller pairs of boots.
Alternatively, you can drop off your spare boots at one of our Utilita Energy Hubs or a listed Football Rebooted collection point – find your nearest one here.
How to claim boots.
Schools, clubs or charitable organisations can request boots from us through our website and we will arrange their delivery.
We want everyone to be able to access a free pair of boots but we are currently unable to send boots out directly to individuals so we are growing the network of Football Rebooted collection & reallocation points across the UK so anyone can claim a free pair of quality boots - find your nearest one here.
We will run a number of regional ‘boot claim’ events where anyone would be able to attend and claim a FREE pair of quality pre-played boots on the day. Follow @UtilitaFootball for details on these.
How to become a boot collection/reallocation point.
We’re offering any school, club or organisation a FREE Football Rebooted boot collection box so you can become a Football Rebooted Collection Point and collect and reallocate boots in your local community!
Order it on our website and we’ll provide you with everything you need to get started, including a boot collection box, e-flyer and social media graphics to help you promote your involvement and raise awareness of the campaign.
When you receive boots, you can then reallocate them to those that need them within your local community, at your discretion.
Can I donate more than one pair of boots?
Yes, you can request as many freepost bags as you require via our website. Each bag will comfortably fit 2 adult pairs or 3 smaller pairs of boots.
Alternatively, you can drop off any spare boots you have, including larger number of boots at one of our Utilita Energy Hubs or a listed Football Rebooted Collection Point – find your nearest one here.
Can I claim more than one pair of boots?
Yes, if you are part of a school, community club or grassroots football club, and would like to request multiple pairs of boots, just get in touch.
If you are claiming boots from a Football Rebooted Collection Point or at a ‘Boot Claim’ event then yes, you can request as many pairs of boots as you need and allocation will be at the discretion of whoever is reallocating the boots.
How do I know if my boots are okay to send in?
As long as your boots are not damaged in any way, they should have life left in them. We do ask that you help us to get your boots ‘claim-ready’, by giving them a bit of a clean up if they need it.
Do I need to clean my boots before sending them?
How to clean:
Check the label - most modern boots can be machine washed. If not the entire boot, removable innersoles can be added to your next wash.
For non-machine washable boots, immerse the boot in hot soapy water and use an old toothbrush to give the seams and detailing a refresh.
Once washed, pop the boots and insoles (still separated) into a pillow case and put them on a spin-only cycle in the washing machine to remove excess water.
How to dry:
Natural drying is best for all types of boots. Do not use artificial heat such as a tumble dryer, hair dryer or heaters or radiators - it will damage or reduce the life of the boots.
The best, tried and tested drying method is to use screwed up balls of newspaper to pack out each boot before putting them outside to dry naturally - preferably hanging by the laces so the breeze can do its job. Be patient - this can take a few days. Replacing the newspaper every day during the drying process will speed things up.
I’ve lost my freepost envelope, can I get another one?
Yes, of course. Please complete the form again and we’ll send one out to you.
Do I need to pay to send in my boots?
No, the campaign is designed to remove all barriers to boots being donated. Utilita is funding the postage. All you need to do is put your boots into the bag and take it to your local post office.
Do I need to pay to claim a pair of boots?
Not a penny! All donated boots are available to those who need them for FREE.
Where is my closest Utilita energy hub?
To find your nearest energy hub visit: https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub - you can find out about other ways we can all do more for our planet while you’re there.
How can schools get involved?
Schools are really well-placed to collect and reallocate boot donations – so schools across the UK can order a FREE collection boot box through our website and become a Football Rebooted Collection Point and collect and reallocate boots to those that need them within their school and the wider local community.
Order a FREE Collection Box today!
How can grassroots clubs get involved?
Grassroots football clubs are really well-placed to collect and reallocate boot donations – so they can order a FREE collection boot box through our website and become a Football Rebooted Collection Point and collect and reallocate boots to those that need them within their club and the wider local community.
Order a FREE Collection Box today!
Can my organisation get involved?
Any organisation, community centre or charitable group that is well-placed to collect and reallocate boot donations can order a FREE collection boot box through our website. This means you can become a Football Rebooted Collection Point and collect and reallocate boots to those that need them within your organisation and the wider local community.
Sustainability and the environment
How will this campaign impact climate change?
There are two ways that football boots impact the environment - when they are made (materials required, energy, shipping, etc) and when they are disposed of - some materials in football boots or trainers will last for 1,000 years in landfill! 400% more carbon emissions are produced if we wear a pair of football boots 5 times, instead of 50 times.
What impact will my donation or claim have on the environment?
By donating boots, someone else can claim them. That means all the carbon emissions that were created when manufacturing them are offset by the fact that they are being used once again, instead of a new pair being bought.
Why is it important that we act in the interest of the environment?
Pollution induced climate change doesn’t wait. Many people think climate change will only affect future generations, which is the biggest myth that we need to dispel. The pollution we generate today as a nation is already having a disastrous, direct impact. Since 2000, at least 1500 excess deaths have been caused by human-induced climate change in the UK. The water and crops we need to survive are being affected, as a result of increased temperature and changes in the weather. We must act, and fast.