Industry News

Kia Oval outlines latest green initiative

The Kia Oval, home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club, has continued its commitment to sustainable business practices by announcing that all drinks cups handed out will be completely compostable.

Fans will also be permitted to bring their own reusable coffee cups into the London ground, a major venue for the England cricket team, which can then be used at all hot drink vendors. Surrey branded reusable cups will also be available for sale at all hot drink vendors around the ground.

The cups look and feel like regular plastic cups, but the insides and lid – often made from plastic – are made from ‘Vegware’ and are completely compostable. The outer paper cover is also made from a sustainable paper source.

Vegware is a manufacturer of disposable catering materials. All its products are made from renewable or recycled materials and can all be composted with food waste where facilities exist.

Elliott Moore, head of catering at the Kia Oval, said: “Given the amount of hot drinks we sell throughout the season, ensuring the cups we serve them in were fully compostable was very important and I’m really pleased we’ve managed to find this solution.

“Combined with the decision to allow fans to bring in their own reusable cups at all times, it should dramatically reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the ground.”

Earlier this month, the Oval announced that it would no longer serve plastic straws with drinks bought at the stadium.

The new policy will be introduced from the 2018 season and covers all cricket at the ground, as well as the approximately 1,500 non-matchday events that are held at the stadium every year.

The single use plastic straws will be replaced by a fully biodegradable paper alternative, which will be given out with all drinks that require straws.

Image: Gareth Williams