Industry expert: Sports report

Single-use plastics is one of the biggest issues in stadium catering. Earth Day Org are campaigning for a 60% reduction of plastic production by 2040, demanding a rapid phasing out of all single-use plastics and a strong UN treaty on plastic pollution.

Levy is leading the way in removing plastic from food containers. We have formed a strategic partnership with Notpla, the Earthshot Prize-winning company, which has developed a seaweed-based alternative to the plastic coating used to keep food packaging from getting soggy.

An expected 75m items of Notpla packaging will be used over the next three years, with the range being found in some of the world’s most prestigious sporting venues. These include The Kia Oval, the home of Surrey County Cricket Club, Aston Villa Football Club, Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. 

Life cycle analysis of Notpla’s seaweed-based packaging shows up to an impressive 70% potential CO2e reduction versus common alternatives. By making this swap, caterers will see an immediate reduction on its environmental impact, with no notable changes to the packaging’s functionality or usage conditions.

This is just one of the ways in which Levy is reducing single-use plastic across its estate. Another key collaboration is with ONE Planet ONE Chance Reusable Cup System, the UK's leading and only carbon-neutral reusable cup system for stadia, venues and events. These innovative cups can be used, washed and reused up to 100 times, significantly reducing waste compared to usage of common alternatives. Their impactful presence is in 20 Levy venues, equating to some 1,847,040 cups used so far this year. This waste reduction is equivalent to 14,776kg of paper cups and a CO2e saving of 27,336kg versus a paper cup. 

We’re not just reducing our carbon footprint versus using common single-use alternatives – we’re setting a standard for environmental responsibility. When it comes to climate action, Levy has been leading by example within the stadia catering world. As a venue specialist business that serves over 12m meals a year, Levy can, and will, make a positive impact and effect change.ing.

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