Tennis fans attending the Australian Open 2025 (AO 2025) will be served beverages in reusable cups, an initiative by Sustainability Victoria to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.
The cups, made by Victorian company bettercup, a Sustainability Victoria grant recipient, are designed to be strong, durable, and reusable multiple times. When they eventually reach the end of their life, they can be recycled.
A total of 38,000 reusable cups supplied by bettercup will be used in selected bars around the AO precinct. This initiative is expected to prevent the use of 50,000 single-use cups during the tournament, equivalent to approximately 400 kilograms of plastic.
Sustainability Victoria's CEO, Matt Genever, stressed the importance of reducing single-use plastic in major events. "This partnership enables and encourages reuse behaviour, helping tennis fans reduce their carbon footprint," he said.
The reusable cups will be washed on-site by Green My Plate, a social enterprise that offers plastic-free food and beverage alternatives. Tennis Australia's Director of Sustainability, Matthew Nicholas, drew attention to the organisation's commitment to reducing its environmental impact. "In 2025, the AO reusables program is projected to prevent the waste of more than 100,000 single-use cups, plates, and bowls," he said.
Sustainability Victoria will continue to support Tennis Australia in its future sustainability strategy as part of Victoria's transition to a circular economy.
