In a significant move toward sustainability, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena is implementing a new reusable cup system in partnership with Bold Reuse, a startup company based in Portland. The initiative launches this Saturday during a Seattle Storm WNBA game, marking a transition away from the venue’s previous recyclable aluminum cups.
The innovative program allows attendees to receive their beverages in durable cups that can be deposited in designated collection bins throughout the arena. Bold Reuse manages the full cycle of cup usage, handling collection, professional sanitization, and redistribution of the cups for future events. The system will be utilized across all arena events, including Seattle Kraken hockey games and various entertainment performances.
This development aligns with Climate Pledge Arena’s established environmental leadership, following its 2023 achievement as the world’s first sports venue to receive Zero Carbon certification from a sustainable building advocacy nonprofit. The arena’s name itself reflects its commitment to The Climate Pledge, an Amazon and Global Optimism initiative challenging corporations to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Bold Reuse, which began as GO Box in 2011 providing reusable takeout containers, has evolved significantly under CEO Jocelyn Quarrell’s leadership since her 2018 acquisition of the company. The firm expanded into Seattle in February 2024, establishing a
9,000-square-foot dishwashing facility in the city’s
Chinatown-International District.
The company recently initiated an innovative pilot program with Avery Dennison, implementing RFID technology to monitor cups throughout their lifecycle, from distribution to washing and eventual retirement. This two-month trial has been active at their Portland washing center and two local sports venues: Moda Center and Providence Park.
Beyond Climate Pledge Arena, Bold Reuse’s presence in Seattle includes partnerships with Woodland Park Zoo’s ZooTunes concerts and SIFF Cinema Downtown, with plans to expand to WAMU Theater. The company recently achieved another milestone by partnering with the Kansas City Chiefs, making them the first NFL team to implement stadium-wide reusable cups for all events.
The program represents a significant step forward in arena
sustainability efforts, combining innovative technology with practical solutions to reduce single-use waste in large-scale entertainment venues.