The state government in Queensland, Australia has announced plans to trial the use of reusable cups in stadiums, while German Bundesliga football club FC Augsburg is rolling out a similar initiative at the WWK Arena.
The Gabba in Brisbane started using reusable polypropylene plastic cups during yesterday’s (Sunday’s) Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Stars.
Aluminium cups will also be introduced at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for home games played by the NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys. Standard drinks cans will be served at Cbus Super Stadium, home of the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans.
Stadiums Queensland last year called for tenders for trials of alternatives to single-use drinking containers at stadium venues. Wise and WOSUP were selected as the most suitable and experienced options for the supply and cleaning of multi-use cups.
The trial has been announced as Brisbane continues preparations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland’s Sport Minister, said: “The reusable drink container trial is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to protecting Queensland’s great lifestyle and our unique environment for future generations.
“We’re evaluating three options including polypropylene plastic and aluminium cups, and canned beverages which can be used over and over again or recycled. Up to 10,000 reusable cups will be served at The Gabba and Queensland Country Bank Stadium with spectators encouraged to return used containers to designated collection points inside the venue for off-site cleaning.
“The trial is about investigating a scalable and cost-effective system to deliver a reusable drink container solution that works for spectators, Queensland’s stadium venues, and the environment. With less than a decade to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this is an opportunity to see how Queensland could lead the nation for sustainable stadium sporting experiences.”
Meanwhile, FC Augsburg has announced that cold drinks sold during matches at the WWK Arena will now be served in environmentally friendly returnable cups.
The initiative will begin on Wednesday when the club hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach. The cups will feature club motifs as part of the campaign, which FC Augsburg has launched in partnership with stadium caterer LEW.
Some 60,000 cups have been produced, with six different designs to be in circulation to encourage use among supporters. Fans can place a €2 deposit when ordering a drink to receive a reusable cup, which can be refunded if it is returned to the kiosks.
Specially designed collection points will be placed around the stadium for supporters to dispose of their cups. At the end of the season, one third of the deposit donations will be distributed to Fritz-Felsenstein-Haus, a local centre for people with disabilities; SKM Augsburg, a social services organisation, and Tür an Tür, which aims to improve living conditions for refugees and immigrants.
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