WWF-Australia is calling for greater adoption of reusable cup systems at major sporting venues, with a new report estimating that around 12 million single-use plastic cups could be kept out of landfill and waterways each year if Australia's largest stadiums switched to reusable alternatives.
The report explores the role reuse systems could play in reducing plastic waste, identifying single-use plastic cups, including those commonly used to make "beer snakes" at sporting events, as a major source of waste.
According to analysis from War on Single Use Plastic (WOSUP), approximately 12 million plastic cups are used annually across Australia's 30 largest stadiums. The report says these cups can end up in landfill or oceans and waterways, where they can remain for hundreds of years.
Malene Hand, no plastic in nature policy manager at WWF-Australia, said major events generate "millions of environmentally harmful plastic cups that are used once and thrown away".
"Our report shows we can dramatically cut this waste.
"Stadiums provide a closed-loop environment to test and scale reuse systems, but we need federal and state governments to provide the right regulations and incentives."
The report talks about a partnership between WOSUP, Sydney Showground and the GWS GIANTS at ENGIE Stadium, where the AFL club became the first in the league to replace single-use plastic beer cups with reusable aluminium cups from WOSUP at its home games in 2024.
According to WWF-Australia, the initiative has prevented more than 208,000 plastic cups and 2,290kg of plastic waste from going to landfill.
The release also cited an NSW EPA-commissioned survey conducted at a GIANTS match in May 2026, which found 97 per cent of respondents supported reusable cups replacing single-use cups at sporting and music events.
Hand said, "Paris raised the bar on reuse at the Olympics, providing reusable cups and containers to spectators. Brisbane now has the chance to build on that momentum."
Compiled by Deloitte, the report argues recycling alone will not address Australia's plastic waste challenge.
It notes Australia's 2025 National Packaging Targets have not been met, with the target of recycling or composting 70 per cent of plastic packaging proving the biggest challenge.
The report also says the Australian Government estimates more than 12 million tonnes of new packaging could enter the market each year by 2040, up from 7 million tonnes in 2022-23.
While Australia's environment ministers have agreed to packaging reforms, WWF-Australia said progress has been slow and remains focused on recycling.
The organisation said the NSW Government is the first state to outline plans to expand reuse and trial reusable cup systems at stadiums and other venues.
"A reform agenda focused only on recycling simply won't work," Hand said.
The report calls for governments to set mandatory packaging reuse targets, invest in reuse infrastructure and work with industry to drive innovation.
"Reuse businesses want to grow and be a part of a system-wide change, but they are being held back by a lack of engagement and enabling regulation," Hand said.
"Government leadership is critical. Backing reuse systems now will create new revenue streams and jobs that benefit Australia's environment and economy."
