Wales embraces sustainable food packaging in major stadiums

Wales embraces sustainable food packaging in major stadiums

Industry News
packaging sustainability

Three major stadiums have adopted Notpla's seaweed-based packaging to combat single-use plastics, aiming to eliminate 750,000 items from the waste stream. This initiative supports Wales’ broader goal of reducing plastic waste and is projected to prevent 1.4 tonnes of plastic and 14.2 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

The shift towards sustainable food packaging has gained momentum in Wales, as three major stadiums have adopted an innovative solution designed to address the increasing problem of single-use plastics. The Principality Stadium in Cardiff recently joined Cardiff City Stadium and Swansea.com Stadium in implementing Notpla’s seaweed-based packaging, which is aimed at significantly diminishing plastic waste within the foodservice sector.

This initiative, which commenced in early 2024, is orchestrated by Compass Cymru in collaboration with Levy UK & Ireland and Notpla. By integrating this new packaging across the venues, the initiative underpins Wales' broader objective to reduce plastic waste.

Notpla’s packaging choice is especially noteworthy, as it claims to not only prevent over 750,000 single-use plastic items from entering the waste stream but also to support environmental sustainability goals. Pierre Paslier, the co-founder of Notpla, highlighted the importance of collaboration among businesses, venues, and policymakers, stating, "When businesses, venues, and policymakers come together, we can drive real impact. By working with Compass Cymru and Levy UK & Ireland, we’re demonstrating that eliminating plastic in stadium foodservice is both scalable and commercially viable. We can’t wait to see this example inspiring further action across the UK and beyond."

In practical terms, the transition to Notpla's packaging at the Principality Stadium has resulted in the replacement of traditional pie trays with a more sustainable solution that has received the Earthshot Prize for its innovation. It is projected that the collective efforts of these three stadiums will lead to the prevention of approximately 1.4 tonnes of plastic waste annually and a reduction in carbon emissions estimated at 14.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent each year, thereby aligning with Wales' net-zero ambitions.

Addressing the initiative's implications further, Jane Byrd, managing director at Compass Cymru, remarked, “At Compass Cymru and Levy we are passionate about sustainability and have been working with the Principality Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium and Swansea.com Stadium to reduce single-use plastic waste. By rolling out Notpla packaging across these three iconic stadiums, we’re not just reducing plastic and carbon emissions - we’re proving to others that better solutions exist today and setting a new standard for what’s possible in event catering.”

This ambitious switch reflects a growing trend in the sporting and event industries towards sustainable practices, showcasing a commitment to environmental responsibility while enhancing the spectator experience with compostable alternatives that decompose naturally without the need for industrial processing.