Arena Pilot Program: Reusable Cups

The goal of this pilot program is to reduce the use of single-use plastic and paper waste. Single-use plastics are a major source of litter and most of these products are not recyclable. In addition, most compostable alternatives to single-use plastics do not fully compost during accelerated composting processes and end up in landfill.

The pilot program will contribute to our City’s strategic approach to managing waste and reducing the use of single-use plastics in City facilities. It aims to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on the environment, promote a circular economy, and help extend the life of the City’s landfill. By encouraging the use of reusable cups and testing different options for residents, the City hopes to find effective strategies to reduce single-use plastics, aligning with its broader environmental goals and community values.

You can bring your own reusable cup to any of the following arena concessions to receive a discounted rate on coffee and tea:

The coffee and tea machines can accommodate large reusable cups and mugs, whereas the specialty drink machine cannot. This limitation has led to the focus on coffee and tea for the pilot program.  Additionally, there is a substantial difference in product cost between coffee/tea and specialty products.

The pilot tests two pricing models:

Model 1 offers a discount for using reusable cups, and Model 2 includes a fee for using a disposable cup.  The price of the coffee and tea to the customer remains the same regardless of the model or location. 

The goal is to determine which pricing model is more effective in promoting the use of reusable cups and reducing the use of single-use plastics and paper waste.

In Model 1, coffee/tea costs $1.86, reduced to $1.61 if you bring a reusable cup. In Model 2, coffee/tea costs $1.61 if you bring a reusable cup, and $1.86 if you need to purchase a single use disposable cup. The cost of the beverage is the same at all locations. 

No, certain arenas are designated for each model. For ‘Model 1’, these include Dave Andreychuk/Mountain, Harry Howell and Morgan Firestone; and for ‘Model 2’ these include Chedoke, Glanbrook and JL Grightmire.

Expansion will depend on the pilot's success and alignment with the City's overall strategy to reduce single-use plastics and items.

The pilot will run while the arena concessions are open. This means that for some arenas, the pilot may conclude in March, while in others it may continue if the arena remains open.

Yes, residents can provide feedback by emailing [email protected]

The outcomes of the pilot will inform future decisions and policies regarding single-use plastic and waste reduction practices in City facilities. The pilot results will be used to determine which model will be recommended (if any) to be implemented at City concessions in the future.

This strategy was approved by Council on March 22, 2021 in response to the issue of increased litter and waste generated by Single-Use Plastics. This strategy aims to decrease the use of single-use plastics in City operations and on City property, while encouraging reuse and recycling, and prioritizing compostable alternatives. The report that went to Council to approve this strategy can be found here.

The reusable cup pilot in arenas aligns with the strategy by promoting the use of reusable cups, reducing single-use plastic and paper consumption in arena concessions, and testing the effectiveness of financial incentives or fees. Specifically, this pilot aligns with the actions in ‘Pillar 4: Financial Incentives and Fees’ in The City of Hamilton Strategy to Reduce Single-Use Plastics.

Yes, Hamilton is implementing broader strategies like installing water bottle fill stations, promoting compostable alternatives and educating residents and businesses on reducing single-use plastics.