The Push to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic
In recent years, the battle against single-use plastic has intensified—with notable strides being made by prominent brands in the fast-food, airline, & sports venue industries. Burger King, Delta Airlines, & Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium are leading the charge with innovative solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste & minimizing their environmental footprints.
Burger King: Leading Fast-Food Sustainability in Finland
Burger King has embarked on a significant sustainability initiative in Finland by introducing reusable Sulapac cups in selected restaurants. This pilot program—launched in collaboration with the Finnish restaurant & catering company Restel—marks a major step towards reducing single-use plastic in the fast-food industry.
Eco-Friendly & Practical
The reusable Sulapac cups are made from 100% biobased materials & are designed to be both environmentally friendly & practical for everyday use. Customers receive these eco cups from the cashier & return them after use to designated collection trays. These cups can be washed up to 200 times—significantly reducing waste & CO2 emissions—while also avoiding harmful microplastic pollution. At the end of their lifecycle, the cups are recycled, ensuring a closed-loop system that exemplifies the principles of the circular economy.
Delta Airlines: Taking Sustainability to New Heights
Delta Airlines is making significant strides in eliminating single-use plastics on board its flights. In December 2023, Delta began the final testing phase of new paper cups on its transcontinental flights—with plans to roll them out network-wide upon successful testing.
Rigorous Testing for High Standards
Delta’s initiative to replace nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics annually underscores its commitment to sustainability. These new paper cups are designed to withstand hot, cold, & alcoholic beverages, & are stackable within existing galley carts—ensuring they meet both practical needs & environmental standards.
Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer highlights the importance of such initiatives, noting that their main goal is to decarbonize their business while focusing on immediate actions within their operations to be more sustainable. These compostable & recyclable cups represent a meticulous effort to enhance Delta’s sustainability practices—diverting significant waste from landfills.
Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium: Pioneering Zero-Waste Sports Venues
Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium—home to the Kansas City Current—has joined the reusable movement with a groundbreaking initiative. In collaboration with Bold Reuse, all drinkware at the stadium is either reusable or recyclable—setting a new benchmark for sustainability in sports venues.
A Zero-Waste Commitment
The VP of Facility Development at the Kansas City Current proudly notes that each year, the 400+ stadiums across the United States dispose of 2.16 billion single-use plastic cups—& they are thrilled that none of them will come from CPKC Stadium. This partnership highlights the club’s dedication to sustainability & sets a new standard for waste reduction in sports venues.
Guests at CPKC Stadium enjoy drinks in reusable cups, which are returned, inspected, sanitized, & repacked for future use. This system not only reduces waste but also promotes environmental stewardship among fans—encouraging them to participate in the zero-waste initiative.
The Path Forward
These examples from Burger King, Delta Airlines, & CPKC Stadium illustrate a growing trend across various industries towards reducing single-use plastic. By adopting innovative materials & sustainable practices, these organizations are not only minimizing their environmental impact but also setting new standards for others to follow.
As more companies embrace reusable & biodegradable options, the dream of a plastic-free future becomes increasingly achievable. The collaborative efforts seen in these initiatives underscore the importance of sustainability in modern business practices & offer a hopeful outlook for the planet.
