In a significant move toward sustainability, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena has announced a partnership with Portland-based startup Bold Reuse to implement a comprehensive reusable cup program. The initiative, set to launch during this Saturday’s Seattle Storm WNBA game, will replace the arena’s current recyclable aluminum cups with durable, reusable alternatives.

The new system will allow fans to receive their beverages in sturdy cups that can be deposited in designated collection bins throughout the venue. Bold Reuse will handle the collection, professional sanitization, and redistribution of the cups, ensuring they remain in circulation for all events at the arena, including Seattle Kraken hockey games and concerts.

This sustainability initiative aligns with Climate Pledge Arena’s environmental leadership, which earned it the distinction of becoming the world’s first sports venue to achieve Zero Carbon certification in 2023. The arena’s name itself reflects its commitment to The Climate Pledge, an Amazon and Global Optimism initiative challenging companies worldwide 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 the leadership of CEO Jocelyn Quarrell, who acquired the company in 2018 and rebranded it four years later. The company expanded its operations to Seattle in February 2024, establishing a 9,000-square-foot dishwashing facility in the Chinatown-International District.

The startup has been actively innovating in the reusable container space, recently launching a pilot program with Avery Dennison that incorporates RFID technology to track cups throughout their lifecycle. This two-month trial, implemented at Portland venues including Moda Center and Providence Park, monitors everything from distribution and returns to washing cycles and end-of-life management.

Bold Reuse’s influence in sustainable sports venues continues to grow, with a recent partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs marking the first NFL-wide stadium implementation of reusable cups for all events. In Seattle, other venues have also embraced similar initiatives, with r.World, a Minnesota-based company, providing reusable cups for Woodland Park Zoo’s ZooTunes concerts, SIFF Cinema Downtown, and WAMU Theater.

This transition at Climate Pledge Arena represents another step forward in the venue’s mission to eliminate waste and promote environmental sustainability in the sports and entertainment industry.