Reuse in Action: Sports & Entertainment
Stadiums and arenas across North America are partnering with leading reuse service providers to eliminate waste, delight fans, and reach sustainability goals.
Go behind the scenes at Crypto.com Arena to see reuse in action!
This documentary-style video takes you inside stadium reuse logistics at a 20,000-seat arena located in Los Angeles that hosts Lakers games, Kings games, and major concerts. With the help of their partner, r.World, they've achieved a 96% reusable cup recovery rate across every event. Senior VP of Operations Ignacio Guerra shares insider details on hospital-grade sanitation, staff coordination, international audience design, and the honest challenges of implementing reuse at stadium scale. Whether you operate a sports venue, manage food service operations, or work in venue sustainability, this is what reuse looks like when it's actually working.
Featuring:
Ignacio Guerra
Head of Operations
Crypto.com Arena
Location:
Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, CA
Reuse Partner:
r.World
Impact Data
1 M+
single-use cups diverted
12 Tons
of waste prevented
28 Tons
CO2e prevented
96%
return rate
This case study is based on information provided by r.World and Crypto.com Arena as of April 2025. Environmental impact data (1M+ cups eliminated, 24,250 pounds of waste diverted, 56,000 pounds of CO2 saved) covers the period from October 2024 through April 2025. Operational data regarding cup usage (approximately 250,000 cups October-December 2024) was provided through video interview with venue operations leadership conducted during the 2024-2025 season.
Resources
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Reuse Wins at Events
A cup Life Cycle Analysis showing that reusable cups for venues and events outperform single-use cups across every environmental measure.
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Model Request for Proposals
A model Request for Proposals for reuse service provision that decision-makers at venues can adapt to their needs.
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Making the Switch: How Venues Decide to Integrate Reuse into Their Business Operations
An analysis of the critical factors involved in venues’ switch from single-use to reusable serviceware.
Want to bring reuse to your venue?
Upstream will help you understand your current waste stream, make the case for reuse, and connect you with trusted providers.