Parma, Friday 24 October 2025 – in the last year, Parma Calcio has achieved ISO 14001 certification, installed 35 new recycling points at the Ennio Tardini Stadium, and launched several new sustainability initiatives, because, as CEO Federico Cherubini said, “Sporting success and social responsibility go hand in hand.” It’s all part of “Play Green”, Parma Calcio’s new project, unveiled inside the Ernesto Ceresini Museum, at the heart of the Tardini. The initiative combines environmental sustainability with the club’s home ground, and much more. “Play Green” marks the path Parma Calcio began in May last year, when it earned ISO 14001 environmental certification: a recognition transformed into culture, awareness, and participation.

The same focus will be in place for Parma vs Como, the Serie A Enilive Matchday 8 fixture kicking off at 15:00 CEST. The Club is calling on its fans to play their part: the stadium will feature a new enhanced recycling system with 35 dedicated recycling points, supported by around 35 students from the “Francesco Severi” Sports Science High School in Salerno and the Salesian Institute “San Benedetto” in Parma. The young volunteers, wearing green bibs, will assist supporters – including those in the hospitality areas – explaining how to sort materials correctly.

The presentation, moderated by Claudio Rinaldi, editor of La Gazzetta di Parma, began with greetings from Federico Cherubini, Parma Calcio CEO, and Stefano Perrone, the Club’s COO. “I'd like to extend a warm welcome from President Kyle J. Krause, who regrets not being here for such an important occasion in the Club’s growth,” said Cherubini. “I’d like to emphasise that Parma Calcio aims to play an increasingly active role in this ongoing endeavour – not only at the Tardini but in the community as a whole. Achieving ISO 14001 certification was a tremendous effort, and for that I must thank Stefano Perrone. For us, sporting results and social responsibility are inseparable. And while results depend on factors we cannot always control, social responsibility depends entirely on our actions for the good of society.”

“I want to thank all the partners who helped us achieve this certification — though it is neither a starting point nor a finishing line,” added Perrone. “In May 2025 we obtained ISO 14001 certification, which represents the beginning of a journey of growth. Our first action was to eliminate plastic bottles, saving around 70,000 bottles in a year – the equivalent of a football pitch. During the same period, we removed individual office bins and replaced them with recycling points throughout our Collecchio training centre. Now, with ‘Play Green,’ we want to extend these good practices to the Tardini. With enhanced recycling, we aim to develop a collective awareness, making ‘we’ the key word.”

The workshop brought together the partners (including Gruppo Iovine, which supports Parma Calcio in this endeavour) who contributed to achieving ISO 14001 certification, sharing the value and impact of their collaboration. “It’s been both a cultural and strategic journey. ISO standards are just that – standards – but here in Parma I’ve found a strong cultural capital. We will strengthen Parma’s social value through environmental education. The Club will become a conscious ambassador for it within its society,” said Luca Iovine, founder of Gruppo Iovine.

Alongside the Club’s partners and Parma Mayor Michele Guerra, other local businesses and organisations shared their experiences in environmental and social sustainability: Luca Montagna (Art Cafè), Alessia Giovannelli (Corporate Events Manager, Bstrò), Maurizio De Vittis (Parma Non Spreca), Lorenzo Tadini (Commercial Director, BWT), Tamara Jalanbou (Head of Communications and External Relations, Colser), Susanna Curti and Alessandro Lori (Gas Sales), and Andrea Belli (Head of Communications and External Relations, Barilla).

“The Club is setting a powerful example of how all organisations can row in the same direction towards sustainability, which means greater respect for the environment we live in,” said Mayor Michele Guerra. “Institutions must take action to change course, but to do that, we need role models. Parma is doing outstanding work, not only for the Club but for the city – a truly unique effort.”

Luca Montagna added: “It’s an honour to supply Parma Calcio – our project is all about sustainable coffee.”

Alessia Giovannelli said: “We’re proud to be part of this initiative. It’s not easy to be 100% sustainable in our sector, but as a group we’ve set three goals: to be as eco-friendly as possible, to use recyclable glass bottles (which we’ve done for some time) and to promote inclusion by employing vulnerable people, giving them the chance to learn and grow.”

Lorenzo Tadini commented: “With Parma, it was love at first sight: we share a foreign ownership deeply committed to sustainability. We’re the company behind the water treatment facilities, a powerful tool.”

Tamara Jalanbou noted: “We’ve been working with Parma for 15 years. We achieved certification back in 2005 and couldn’t miss this occasion. Our electric vehicles will handle sustainable waste collection at the Tardini.”

The event was more than a conference – it was a true ideas lab, where businesses, institutions, and community stakeholders discussed football’s role in the ecological transition. It was also an opportunity to share some of the upcoming initiatives that will make the Tardini one of the greenest stadiums in Italy, with special attention to the partnership with Parma Non Spreca for food reuse in hospitality areas and to the active involvement of the fans.