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Anheuser-Busch launches National Recycling League with major league partners

North American brewing giant Anheuser-Busch is bringing together some of US sport’s biggest teams to form a multi-league coalition aiming to reduce waste on game day.

Anheuser-Busch, whose brands including Budweiser, has launched the National Recycling League along with partners from Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL). Some 10 inaugural members have signed up at the start of the MLB season, including the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

The National Recycling League aims to raise awareness of the need for recycling and drive key recycling behaviours among consumers at stadiums and elsewhere. Each team has committed to adopting and implementing a range of new activations aimed at reducing waste and improving recycling rates at stadiums to help divert recyclable materials such as beer bottles and cans from landfills. Activations include offering infinitely recyclable aluminum cups to fans instead of single-use plastic.

Recycling Hawkers will be deployed in partner stadiums to collect used cups, cans and bottles from fans to ensure they are recycled properly.

“At Anheuser-Busch, we approach everything we do – including sustainability – with an innovation mindset so that we can create an outsized impact,” said Brendan Whitworth, chief executive of Anheuser-Busch.

“Through the National Recycling League, we are thrilled to bring together our team partners and sports fans to work towards a shared dream of a future with less game day waste and more cheers.”

In addition to in-stadium activations throughout regular season games, select partner teams will compete head-to-head in a new way as the brewer calls on MLB fans to join the National Recycling League and recycle their bottles and cans, with the winning city getting a round of beer on Anheuser-Busch.

Paul Hanlon, the MLB’s senior director of ballpark operations and sustainability, said: “Major League Baseball and our clubs are excited to collaborate with Anheuser-Busch on the launch of their National Recycling League initiative. This commitment to environmental stewardship by our long-term partner perfectly aligns with our continued efforts to bring more recycling options and sustainable practices to our ballparks.