Ocean Conservancy And GOAL: Cup-led For Change

Ocean Conservancy and GOAL announced the “Protect Where We Play Tour,” a partnership across GOAL’s network of venues to reduce plastic waste by deploying a reusable cup program during concerts and sporting events. The “Protect Where We Play Tour” kicks off tonight at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with Coldplay.

Other tour stops this summer include Savannah’s Enmarket Arena for The Lumineers (Sept. 27) and Billie Eilish at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York (Oct. 25-26) with more concerts and events to be announced.

Organizers estimate that the tour will prevent 1 million single-use cups from entering the waste stream. Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.

“We’re so excited about this activation because it’s the perfect combination of mission alignment and funding for operational changes,” said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL and head of sustainability at Oak View Group (Pollstar’s parent company). “We’re grateful for Ocean Conservancy’s collaboration and openness to fund tangible solutions that help facilities implement sustainable change, while also elevating their mission. These are the types of win-win partnerships that enable the positive change that our sports and entertainment industry really needs.”

In February, Ocean Conservancy launched the Protect Where We Play Initiative, aimed at rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the future of the planet. The program leverages the reach and popularity of athletes and entertainers to engage fans in the cause.  Team Ocean Captains including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech and American ballet dancer Katherine Barkman.

“With 50% of our oxygen coming from the ocean, whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, the future of your favorite game, concert or event depends on a healthy, plastic-free ocean,” said Jenna DiPaolo, Chief Brand and Communications Officer for Ocean Conservancy. “By tapping into the joy of what it means to be a fan, we can inspire action and create a global movement that protects our planet for the next generation.”

Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy has led the International Coastal Cleanup mobilizing nearly 19 million volunteers to remove 395 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide. Ocean Conservancy has also led advocacy efforts to prevent plastic pollution through policies at the state, federal and international levels.