Live events and music venues are leading the trend to convert from single-use throwaway cups and serveware to a reusable solution offered by r.Cup, the nation's leading reuse platform that is building the infrastructure for reuse in cities across the country. Reusables have the potential to eliminate the 1 trillion single-use disposables thrown out in the US each year(1) that are contributing to our climate crisis — a powerful figure to ponder on National Reuse Day (Oct. 20) as reuse is emerging as the most impactful solution to tackle the single-use waste crisis.
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct.19, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Live events and music venues are leading the trend to convert from single-use throwaway cups and serveware to a reusable solution offered by r.Cup, the nation's leading reuse platform that is building the infrastructure for reuse in cities across the country. Reusables have the potential to eliminate the 1 trillion single-use disposables thrown out in the US each year(1) that are contributing to our climate crisis — a powerful figure to ponder on National Reuse Day (Oct. 20) as reuse is emerging as the most impactful solution to tackle the single-use waste crisis.
"A staggering amount of single-use plastic has been diverted from the waste stream, and response from patrons has been overwhelmingly positive," Jake Hiersteiner, VP of Operations for AEG Presents Rocky Mountains in Denver, told 9NEWS, speaking of how r.Cup is making a difference at the AEG music venues he manages, including the Bluebird Theater, Gothic Theatre, Mission Ballroom, and Ogden Theatre.
As a reuse pioneer, r.Cup recently won the "Reusie" for being the Most Innovative Reuse Company of 2022 (Food & Beverage) presented by environmental non-profits Upstream and circular economy-focused Closed Loop Partners. "r.Cup was the first national reuse company in North America and one of the first movers on reusable cups in the country, securing big partnerships and investors from event companies and musicians with the likes of U2, the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson," according to the judging panel, comprised of representatives from AHIMSA, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, GreenBiz, McDonough Innovation, Players for the Planet, Sustainable Oceans Alliance, World Economic Forum and World Wildlife Fund. r.Cup was also selected for its role leading one of the biggest reuse projects in the country by the City of Seattle.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Reuse Seattle as the first reuse company in the region and we are delivering real results to the community," said Michael Martin, r.Cup's CEO and Founder. "Reuse is catching on, and other cities such as LA, New York City, Milwaukee, and dozens of others, as well as big-name artists, are requesting r.Cup in their communities."
A key part of the r.Cup solution is their regional Wash Hubs where r.Cups, r.Ware, and other reusable products are washed and repacked for reuse up to 300 times. r.Cup is currently installing new hubs across the country in partnership with local civic leaders. With each new market that r.Cup expands into, the company builds a local eco-friendly Wash Hub in an economic development zone that also serves as r.Cup's local operations and logistical hub. r.Cup leverages technology from Ecolab, a global leader in water savings and eco-friendly sanitization practices. In addition, r.Cup partners with second-chance employment programs to expand employment opportunities.
"In a high-volume, fast-paced environment, it can be difficult to implement meaningful change," Hiersteiner said to 9NEWS. "This program is clearly hitting the mark."
About r.Cup
Every year, 600 billion single-use cups are used and discarded. r.Cup is working to reverse this trend by providing a reusable cup and serveware rental service to venues, restaurants, corporations and any location where single-use waste is created. The r.Cup team collects and sanitizes the serveware, and then returns them for reuse again and again. The concept has been activated in over 70 cities, 30 U.S. states and 12 countries, so far. r.Cup has given 10% of the company to non-profits working on tackling the single-use waste crisis. r.Cup has been honored as a Fast Company "2020 Most Innovative Company", Fast Company "2021 World Changing Idea", and "Most Innovative Reuse Company (Food & Beverage)" by the national Reusies Awards (2022). On the web: https://rcup.com.
About Michael Martin
Known as an "environmental disruptor innovating business models," Michael Martin is the heart and soul behind r.Cup. Since 1990, when he produced the Earth Day 1990 celebration, he's been finding new ways to use capitalism for good. He is regularly sought after for consulting on sustainability business and marketing strategies by organizations ranging from the White House to Toyota to Apple Computer. He is an expert on greening venues, festivals, and corporations, and he's helped raise and invest millions of dollars in new solutions for food access, health and wellness, equality, and single-use waste reduction. "Single-use items—even those made of biodegradable materials—are an outdated approach in need of systematic change," said Martin. "We want to create complete awareness to stop the single-use addiction. There is no such thing as throw away."
(1) Upstream Reuse Wins Report 2021; https://upstreamsolutions.org/blog/reuse-wins-report.
Media Contact
Jessica Johnston, r.Cup, 1 323-791-1230, [email protected]
SOURCE r.Cup
Share this article