GWS Giants reaffirms sustainability commitment with continued WOSUP partnership

The GWS GIANTS have maintained their position as the most sustainable in the AFL having announced the continuation of their partnership with War on Single Use Plastic (WOSUP) for a second consecutive year.

This landmark agreement ensures disposable plastic cups remain a thing of the past at home games.

First launched in 2024, the Australia-first sustainability initiative set a new benchmark for large-scale sporting and entertainment events, demonstrating how elite sport can take real action against plastic pollution.

The renewed deal underscores the Giants’ long-term commitment to environmental responsibility and aligns with the club’s "Beyond The Boundary" ESG goals.

WOSUP Co-Founder and Chief Executive Martin Salter commended the GIANTS for their leadership in sustainability, noting that they currently remain the only AFL/AFLW club to eliminate single-use plastic cups in favour of reusable and infinitely recyclable WOSUP aluminium cups, although he believes this will change during 2025.

Salter enthused “The GIANTS made history in 2024, and we’re thrilled to continue this journey with them. This initiative has already diverted approximately 25,000 single-use plastic cups from landfill per season and reduced carbon emissions by 73,545kg CO₂-e—the equivalent of almost 120 native trees planted annually by Greenfleet, or nearly 15 trees per game.”

Sustainability Impact from 2024
During 2024 - the inaugural year of the initiative - the GIANTS and WOSUP achieved significant sustainability milestones. More than 25,000 single-use plastic cups were replaced with reusable aluminium alternatives, reducing overall waste and lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, the initiative saw a high rate of fan engagement, with over 80% of attendees participating in the return and reuse process, reinforcing the strong demand for sustainable solutions at large-scale events. These achievements have paved the way for the continuation of the partnership and the broader adoption of similar practices across the AFL.

Salter highlighted that stadiums and arenas remain some of the largest contributors to plastic waste, with an estimated 40 to 50 million disposable cups used in Australian venues each year.

“Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues we face. Only 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled, while 75% of all aluminium produced remains in use, making it the most sustainable metal available,” he added. “We hope the GIANTS’ continued leadership will inspire other AFL and AFLW clubs, as well as their venues, to implement similar bans.”

The GIANTS Championing Change
The GIANTS Executive General Manager of Commercial Alex Stanley advised “the collaboration with WOSUP has been a successful venture as we continue to look at ways we can work with leaders who think differently about the fan experience.”

“Reducing our environmental impact is crucial, and the sentiment from the GIANTS fans has been overwhelmingly positive, they are doing their bit, and the beer stays cold.

“Furthermore, we are excited by the calibre of brands who are interested in getting involved with WOSUP. The opportunity to place brands in the hands of fans at scale, with QR codes and incentives on cups, allows a partner to move customers into their eco-system at the footy. For the right brand looking to integrate their service into the habits of experiencing sport, it’s a powerful asset.”

The AFL is again launching the 2025 season early in Sydney with the GIANTS hosting the Collingwood Football Club on 9th March 2025 at 3.15pm at ENGIE Stadium.

Expanding Sustainability in Sport
WOSUP’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its work with the GIANTS. Salter confirmed that discussions are underway with other AFL/AFLW clubs and venues to expand the initiative nationwide.

Salter shared “this partnership is a testament to the impact of sustainable sponsorships in sport. Our mission is to prevent 50 million single-use plastic cups from being produced each year by 2030 and to help sport and entertainment sectors achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 - or earlier.

“Prevention is the best cure. By eliminating plastic at its source, we can stop the pollution crisis that sees at least 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, contributing to an accumulation of 162 million tonnes based on 2021 EARTHDAY.ORG data.”

AFL’s Growing Sustainability Focus
The AFL has made sustainability a key priority in recent years, implementing initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the game. The league has introduced measures such as improved stadium recycling programs, carbon offsetting strategies, and partnerships with environmental organisations to promote sustainability across all levels of Australian football. In 2022, the AFL partnered with the Australian Government’s Climate Active program to measure and reduce its carbon footprint, while various clubs have launched initiatives such as renewable energy projects and water conservation efforts. The AFL also continues to explore innovations in sustainable stadium infrastructure and eco-friendly fan engagement strategies.

About WOSUP
WOSUP (War On Single Use Plastic) exists to help address one of the greatest environmental problems facing the world today – too much plastic waste. WOSUP Co-Founders Martin Salter and Karl Page were drinking beers at the footy when they found themselves sitting amid a sea of plastic cups. They began re-using their plastic cups and contemplating an alternative, eco-friendly solution. In 2018, WOSUP Australia was born. The Sydney-based social impact enterprise strives to make a positive difference by providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic.

By creating 100% reusable aluminium cups and providing integrated services, complete with fan engagement technology, WOSUP offers a meaningful solution for public-facing service industries to ditch single-use plastic cups. WOSUP cups are the perfect fit for major sport and entertainment venues, festivals, clubs, pubs, cinemas, hospitality and tourism attractions. What’s more, WOSUP’s native tree planting partnership with Australia’s first carbon offset provider, Greenfleet, creates a net carbon reduction of 3kg CO₂-e per cup use, alongside positive land use outcomes.

For more information, visit www.wosup.com.au