Cater For You has long been a proponent of sustainable and eco friendly food and drink packaging, introducing compostable and recyclable products to their range many years ago. It was with therefore with interest that we listened to 6Music’s Mary Ann Hobbs’ interview with Steve Lamacq on sustainability at live music venues on 26th November 2024 (available to listen to on BBC Sounds!) and the many options for supplying more environmentally friendly options.
Andy Watts, Director at Cater For You is a regular gig goer and commented ‘I’ve often pondered the enormous waste and environmental impact of all the disposable plastic glasses strewn across the floor at the end of a gig and whether they are being collected to be recycled or just sent straight to landfill”
Paper Pint Cups / Glasses are relatively new to the market but a welcome innovation. Steve Lamacq talked eloquently about the various linings and the ideal lining being Aqueous which is a water based plastic lining that keeps the cup leakproof. So far we have found that Aqueous lining is by far and away more expensive than other linings which at a time when live music venues are struggling to remain profitable is an interesting dichotomy. Paper cups need to be collected and composted properly rather than go to landfill where they are likely to release methane.
The interview mentioned using reusable plastic glasses instead of disposable plastic. Polycarbonate plastic glasses are virtually unbreakable and have been an integral part of the Cater For You range since we started over 20 years ago and are perfect for commercial washing up to 500 times. As they are virtually unbreakable, they can be dropped and trodden on and will not break. The glasses come in various thicknesses but a venue would have to take a judgement a safety element if a crowd is likely to throw them without causing injury, a significant benefit of using disposable / flexible glasses or paper cups is that they are soft.
With any of these solutions paper cups, disposable plastic glasses and unbreakable plastic glasses, we recommend that the best solution is used in combination with the venue’s waste collection provider. The sophistication of sorting, collection and costs will vary and influence and determine a cost effective, eco friendly solution whilst also providing safety for gig goers.
Andy Watts went on to say “the market is changing constantly with innovative, more environment solutions being developed. It is great that 6Music is highlighting these issues and getting behind solutions for more sustainable, less plastic, lower waste solutions. We welcome venues getting in touch with us to find out more about what is currently available and in the pipeline”
Another angle for live venues to look at is to use printed glasses and charge a deposit for them so they are not just thrown on the floor during the evening, this would enable reusable but breakable glasses to be used. Visitors are more likely to take these away as souvenirs too! Printed glasses are more expensive to produce but do deliver a more premium feel and over substantial volume is a small incremental cost.
Phil Stears also a Director at Cater For You said “the live music festivals have been ahead of the curve in terms of demanding more compostable solutions. Some of our pop up food customers have been requiring this kind of solution for many years now and we have been delighted to help”
For more information, please visit the Cater For You web site or contact our sales team.
