Stadiums Queensland trials reusable drinking cups at venues

Stadiums Queensland is trialling alternatives to single use drinking cups at venues in Brisbane, Townsville and on the Gold Coast with the first trial being conducted at today’s Brisbane Heat Big Bash games at The Gabba.

The trial is evaluating three options including polypropylene plastic and aluminium cups, and canned beverages which can be used over and over again or recycled. Today’s Gabba trial will be followed by an evaluation of aluminium cups at the Cowboys’ home games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on 27th March and 7th April.

During May 2022, Stadiums Queensland called for tenders for trials of alternatives to single use drinking containers at stadium venues with Wise and WOSUP assessed as the most suitable and experienced options for the supply and cleaning of multi-use cups.

QLD Sport Minister Stirling notes “we know enjoying a cold beer is a big part of the world-class event experience at a Queensland stadium, but we want it to also be sustainable.

“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 offsite 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 see how Queensland could lead the nation for sustainable stadium sporting experiences.”         

QLD Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Stadiums Queensland trials were a positive next step towards combatting waste.

“Every year, Queensland stadium venues use more than 1.5 million disposable drinking cups, each taking an estimated 450 years to breakdown in landfill.

“This trial will help inform future opportunities to roll out of reusable drink containers, as well as highlight options for future local manufacturing,” Minister Scanlon said.

“We are committed to addressing the impact of harmful plastic pollution on our environment.

“The stadium trials will build on our single use plastic bag and straw bans, the successful ‘Containers for Change’ program and our $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund.”

Standard drink cans will be served at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast during the NRL season.