Manchester Aquatics Centre Latest Sustainability Initiatives

Throughout June, here at Manchester Aquatics Centre we have unveiled a series of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing waste, encouraging reuse, and supporting the local community.

One of the centre’s most popular environmental projects continues to be its Little Library, located in the café area. Supported by local literacy initiative Read Manchester, the library provides visitors of all ages with access to books that may otherwise have been discarded or left unused. Customers are encouraged to browse, borrow, donate, and share books whenever they visit the centre.

The centre has also introduced a new Recycled Lost Property Scheme. As one of Manchester’s busiest leisure facilities, the Aquatics Centre collects a significant amount of unclaimed lost property each year. Items left uncollected for more than two months, including water bottles, kickboards, pull buoys, and other training equipment, are now being made available for centre users to take and reuse. Any remaining items will be recycled through the centre’s Leisure Loop scheme, helping to minimise waste and extend the life of usable equipment.

Responding directly to customer feedback, the centre has recently installed a new poolside water fountain. Located outside the first aid room and next to the splash pad, the fountain provides a convenient way for swimmers and visitors to refill their water bottles, reducing reliance on single-use plastics and making hydration more accessible throughout the day.

Manchester Aquatics Centre is keen to build on these efforts and is inviting customers to contribute ideas for future sustainability improvements. Visitors can share suggestions by contacting the centre directly at manchesteraquaticscentre@gll.org.

These initiatives form part of the centre’s ongoing commitment to creating a more sustainable and environmentally responsible leisure facility for the Manchester community.