The move to Eco-Cups for the 2019-20 season has seen a huge reduction in plastic waste at Parc y Scarlets.
The stadium has swapped single-use plastic cups for the Scarlets branded reusable cups in all its bars and kiosks and the region’s bosses have been delighted by how supporters have embraced the move.
Between September 2018 and August 2019, the Scarlets went through around 55,000 plastic cups for public use. On the evidence of the first eight games played at Parc y Scarlets this season, over 30,500 single use plastic cups didn’t go to the landfill, which will work out at close to 30 tonnes over a 12-month period.
Parc y Scarlets is the first stadium in Wales to take such steps.
“This is an important environmental issue and the Scarlets are fully committed to the reduction of plastic waste,” said venue general manager Carrie Gillam.
“We are proud to be the first stadium in Wales to have taken these positive steps to completely remove single-use plastic cups and have been delighted by the positive response of our supporters.
“It has been so popular that we have brought out special limited edition cups, which started with a Ken Owens cup last weekend against Edinburgh.”
The move to Eco-Cups is in line with the Scarlets environment-friendly commitment.
The 14,486-capacity stadium has had solar panels installed on its roof and the indoor training facility on site. Parc y Scarlets also boasts electric car charging points and extracts water for pitch watering from bore hole technology.
“We have been delighted with the response to the introduction of Eco-Cups at the stadium,” said Scarlets chief operating officer Phillip Morgan.
“On a global front, sporting stadiums are being encouraged to promote sustainability and here at the Scarlets we are proud of our commitment to environmental issues and the fact that Parc y Scarlets is leading the way in Wales.”