The roundtable was made possible thanks to a partnership between the Boomerang Alliance, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and sustainability consultant Cressida Hilken.

The initial roundtable involved Venues NSW, the Australian Festivals Association, Green Music Australia, Merivale, Taronga Zoo, Moshtix and the Sydney Convention Centre.

Key venue operators, event managers and government representatives came together to discuss switching to reusable cups at stadiums, large events and festivals as one way to help cut plastic waste and costs.

Future roundtables are planned to build more momentum and engagement, develop standards and offer reuse solutions to interested venues and events.

The NSW Government is committed to reducing problematic and unnecessary plastic waste. Finding ways to scale up reusable alternatives to single-use plastics like disposable cups is an important step on this sustainability journey.

In 2024, the NSW Government released the draft NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action plan for public consultation. The paper sought feedback on a range of proposed actions including trialling reusable cups in government premises, such as office buildings, stadiums, and other venues, and supporting the establishment of reuse-only precincts.

NSW EPA CEO, Tony Chappel, said:

“Across NSW, major venues like the Sydney showground, outdoor events at the Opera House and a growing number of festivals, events and markets are choosing to reuse. There are many opportunities to grow this momentum and expand reuse around NSW. “It’s an exciting step forward that supports NSW’s transition to a circular economy. By increasing reuse, we can reduce plastic waste being used once, going to landfill and being littered in the environment.” 

Toby Hutcheon, of the Boomerang Alliance said: 

“In 2024, the Paris Olympics provided reusable cups and containers across venues and events, and we anticipate that this will be a feature of the Olympic Games and other major sports and cultural events and precincts in the future.

“We’ve also found the festival sector is very supportive of reuse, with both musicians and festival goers urging more sustainable practices and emission reductions at events.

“The Boomerang Alliance is actively campaigning to end plastic pollution and waste. The act of supplying reusable cups and containers to the public that can be used, collected, washed and returned for reuse will reduce costs, greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the inevitable waste and pollution from single use plastic cups.”