Former Everton player and brother solving ‘a massive problem’

Two brothers set out to solve a “massive problem” with an everyday object.

Tom Davies, 25, who made his debut for Everton’s first team in 2016, has become passionate about the environment and sustainability in recent years. Now the Sheffield United player has cited environmental reasons for cutting back on meat, as animal agriculture contributes to carbon emissions.

Now he has teamed up with his brother Liam, 27, after the pair were told about a problem with an everyday object used around the world by Neil Sang, who worked for a business called ChopValue in Canada.

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Liam told the ECHO: “You would never guess that a chopstick could be a problem because it is such a small utensil that is used for such a short period of time.

“People see it as something that’s only used for a half-hour lunchtime meal. But chopsticks can travel tens of thousands of miles to get from A to B before being used by consumers. It’s such a small utensil, but when we collect the waste, it becomes a massive problem.”

Over the past year, the brothers have worked closely to create ChopValue UK, along with director Neil Sang and others in the business. It aims to pick up sticks that would otherwise end up at the top and use them to make furniture and homewares. The brothers procured chopsticks from nearby restaurants to reuse.

Tom said: “We collected around five million sticks, in Liverpool and Manchester alone. We average about 100,000 weekly. These five million sticks that we previously collected would have gone to landfill and will continue to do so unless we can pick them up.”

The ChopValue micro-factory in Speke has now opened, with Liam arguing that chopsticks can be recycled here to make key rings, chopping boards, phone stands and desks among other things.

Liam credits other members of the Canadian-based company for finding a way to “make something new out of waste.” He added: “These amazing products are being taken out of the landfill and instead become amazing, gorgeous new products.

“It’s cool and really innovative. It’s a full range of products and there’s something for everyone.”

The brothers were keen to ensure that building the factory in Liverpool would have real benefits for the city.

Tom said: “We have made the micro factory in Liverpool a CIC, which is a community interest company. As we start to generate some revenue, we’ll put some of that back into the city because it’s so important to both of us. We both grew up here and we both got along really well so we want to give back where we can.”

The midfielder is keen to show that he has passions beyond sport. He said: “My main job is football. I think everyone knows this, but I’ve worked with the homeless in Liverpool, I’ve done mental health stuff, especially for men.

“I did something in fashion and now sustainability is something I’m really passionate about. It’s great to have different outlets in your life that you can show you’re passionate about. I am very happy that our passions are now turning into action.”

Meanwhile, Liam was excited to work more closely with his brother. He said: “I think it’s great that we can work together. Obviously, with Tom’s rig, you’re always proud anyway. But then to see someone further their own platform into something that can benefit other people, that’s pretty special.”

Liam hopes the micro-factory in Liverpool will be just the beginning of their ambitions. He said: “I think when people come in and feel the products and see how much work goes into actually making them, they’re going to really like it.

“We will continue to learn in this micro factory and then, when possible, it will be even more exciting and it will be the same process of moving to the UK. The more we branch out, the bigger the impact we have, so it’s always something we think about.”

You can find out more about ChopValue UK here.

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