Crypto.com Arena and Peacock Theatre will be using only reusable cups starting in the fall.
Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena and Peacock Theater, two AEG-owned venues, are pivoting to fully reusable cup strategies this year in an effort to eliminate single-use plastics.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, AEG tested selling only reusable cups at two Depeche Mode shows at Crypto.com Arena in December, and the company claims the new cups saved 23,418 disposable cups, equating to a reduction of 355 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Now, in time for the Lakers and Kings seasons in the fall, the venue plans to sell only reusable cups.
The company, which owns a number of sports and entertainment venues across the US and abroad, has partnered with hospitality group Levy to replace disposable cups with new ones made by sustainability company r.World. When used at venues and festivals (such as the recent Just Like Heaven festival in Los Angeles), attendees will be asked to place their empty cups in specially marked bins. From there, the cups will be transported to r.World’s washing plant, cleaned, and returned to the venue.
The r.Cup program has already been adopted by festivals like the aforementioned Just Like Heaven, as well as 10 other AEG venues. AEG plans to implement the strategy intermittently throughout the summer at Crypto.com Arena and Peacock Theater, starting with the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game and Young Miko concert on August 15.
Revisit our feature on designing a fictional carbon-neutral music festival, which looks at the various ways festival organisers can reduce their event’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable strategies.