Rugby / Sustainability
Ashton Gate to introduce ‘self-destructing’ plastic cups
“Self-destructing” cups will be on sale for the first time at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday.
Bristol Bears versus Sale Sharks has been named the ‘Go Green Game’, shining a light on Bristol Sports’ award-winning work to recognise, measure and minimise their impact on the environment.
Bristol Sport have announced a partnership with innovative time-set biodegradation technology, Lyfecycle, to begin serving the cups within the stadium.
is needed now More than ever
The cups, which have been used at Twickenham since June 2022, are made from a special material called polymateria.
They are designed for recycling, but the UK-based innovators claim if the cup escapes into nature it will self destruct within two years.
The roll-out is part of Bristol Sports’ Project Whitebeam, which is fundamental in the organisation’s approach to climate change, waste, water, biodiversity and air quality.
Gavin Marshall, the group director of sport at Ashton Gate, said: “We considered the sustainability merits of numerous cups carefully and there is no perfect solution.
“Given our proximity to parks and waterways, it was important that our cups are easily recycled and won’t remain as plastic if leaked into the environment.
“Twickenham has been successfully using these cups since last year and we have set up a ‘live lab’ at Ashton Gate to test the product ourselves.
“By providing new bins and simplified waste segregation we hope to recycle as much of our waste as possible and would like to thank fans in advance for helping us work towards this goal.”
Bristol City, also part of the Bristol Sport group of clubs, was recently named the most sustainable team in the Championship by Sport Positive League.
Main photo: Lyfecycle
Read next:
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- A community-led solution to a rubbish problem
- More than 8,000 fines handed out by Bristol City Council’s ‘litter police’
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