San Francisco 49ers Implement Reusable Cups Initiative

The San Francisco 49ers, in partnership with PepsiCo, have announced the implementation of reusable cups at Levi’s Stadium.

The initiative builds upon the venue’s sustainability reputation and expands on PepsiCo’s global efforts to advance sustainable packaging solutions while marking the company’s first reusable cup project with an NFL franchise.

The reusable cups debuted during the team’s first preseason game in the United Club and Graton Winners Club, which seat up to 6,500 fans combined. The cups can be easily returned to designated bins where they are collected to be sanitized and redistributed for reuse.

The program is projected to eliminate the need for tens of thousands of disposable single-use cups during the 10 home games at Levi’s Stadium this season.

“Sustainability has always been a core pillar of Levi’s Stadium, dating back to its early designs, and we are constantly trying to find new ways to reduce waste, consumption, and emissions,” said Kevin Hilton, 49ers vice president of corporate partnerships. “This reusable cup program not only reduces plastic waste, in addition to other behind-the-scenes practices, it also allows the Faithful to take an active role in our sustainability mission. We are proud to partner on this project alongside PepsiCo and appreciate their continued support of our sustainability initiatives.”

PepsiCo has engaged in several reusable cup efforts throughout the country. The company’s global sustainable packaging strategy includes a focus on reducing virgin plastic and designing packaging for circularity and supporting systems, such as recycling and reuse infrastructure, that can help reduce packaging waste.

“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,” said Burgess Davis, chief sustainability officer, PepsiCo North America. “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.”

Bold Reuse is managing the collection, sanitization and redistribution of cups in partnership with Levy, the stadium’s hospitality provider.

The 49ers previously teamed with Levi Strauss to increase conservation efforts in the stadium. The team’s Faithful to the Planet initiative launched in 2023, dedicated to sustainability and environmental conservation. The initiative supports the restoration of redwood trees, removal of ocean-bound plastic from rivers and planting of new trees across Africa.

In August 2014, Levi’s Stadium became the first professional football stadium to open with LEED Gold Certification, the recognized standard for measuring sustainability for design and construction.