PepsiCo Kicks Off Reusable Cup Program at 49ers Stadium

The program is designed to “make reuse second nature” for fans, according to Jocelyn Quarrel, CEO of Bold Reuse. “Fans will find clearly marked return bins right next to trash and recycling in the United and Graton Winner’s Clubs, so it’s just as easy to return a cup as it is to dispose of one.”

Staff at the stadium will also engage with guests and encourage participation in the program.Fans can drop off their reusable cups at return bins located directly next to the regular trash and recycling.PepsiCo

“The focus is on convenience – keeping it simple and seamless for fans so they can focus on what they came to do, cheer on their favorite team,” Quarrell says.

Once the cups are collected, they head to a local Bold Reuse wash hub, where they undergo a quality control and sanitization process. The process aligns with the same food code standards restaurants follow when cleaning durable plates and glasses, Quarrel explains.

After the cleaning process, the cups are inspected, re-packed, and sent back to the stadium for their next use. “It’s a closed loop system designed to keep cups in use and out of the landfill,” Quarrell says.

The cups’ manufacturer says the cups can be used over 500 times, though a third-party analysis of the operation suggests they are used around 300+ times, Quarrell says.

The cups themselves help to ensure sustainability even if they find their way out of the closed loop system, being made from polypropylene.

“The material was chosen because it is durable, food safe, and accepted for recycling in many communities. If a fan accidentally takes a cup home with them instead of returning it to a designated return bin in the stadium, we want to improve the chances that the couple could be recycled later,” Stradling says.

Part of a wider sustainability strategy for PepsiCo

This program and others like it from PepsiCo tie into the company’s global sustainable packaging strategy pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), which includes a focus on reducing virgin plastic, designing packaging for circularity, and reducing packaging waste by supporting systems like recycling and reuse infrastructure.

“Advancing reuse requires collaboration and a systemic shift to help make the reusable option the most convenient and accessible option for consumers to enjoy their beverage,” says Burgess Davis, chief sustainability officer at PepsiCo. “Initiatives like this can provide important insights into how that shift can become a reality at scale while having an immediate impact in reducing waste.”

Part of the pep+ strategy is a goal to deliver 97% or greater reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging by design by 2030 for the company’s primary and secondary packaging in its key packaging markets, explains Stradling. The company has achieved 93% as of 2024.

Collaborative efforts like this program at Levi’s stadium are a key part of PepsiCo’s work to achieve the goals laid out in the pep+ strategy.

“Sustainability is truly a team sport, and we’re grateful to the 49ers for their collaboration in this effort,” Davis says.