Three prominent Portland event venues are putting sustainability in the hands of their visitors with new compostable cups at all onsite concessions.
The move eliminates some 80,000 plastic-lined beverage containers served annually at the Oregon Convention Center, the Portland Expo Center and the Portland Center for Performing Arts.
"What it came down to was doing the right thing," said Brendan Coffey, the general manager and beverage contractor for pacificwild catering company, the exclusive food services vendor for the venues. "It’s something we’ve been working on for a long time and was a common request by visitors."
A three-year deal with Pepsi moved forward January 1, 2013, replacing the non-recyclable cups at each venue with Ecotainer brand cups and lids. Ecotainer guarantees that the supplies are made in the United States of 50 percent renewable resources, and require less energy to produce than do traditional cups.
"Even in Portland, using compostable cups and lids isn’t completely widespread, especially at venues of our size," Coffey said. "By going the sustainable route with these cups, more than 90 percent of the convention center’s concessions are compostable."
Erin Rowland, the sustainability coordinator at the Oregon Convention Center, is excited for the new opportunity compostable cups bring with them. Rolling out in April, the center will add compost bins to each of the 35 'recycling centers' found throughout the building.
Rowland said as many as 40 more compost bins will be added to exhibit halls and meeting rooms, and is expected to boost the center’s increasing compost rate.
The Portland Center for Performing Arts, which receives its cups in April, has also introduced front-of-the-house composting at its facilities. Senior Operations Supervisor Richard Wehring lauded the move as another step toward zero waste at PCPA.
The new cups feature the Pepsi logo and green text declaring they are 'fully compostable.' Still, staff expects change to present a small learning curve for guests.
"We’ve set ourselves up by purchasing earth-friendly materials, now it’s about helping show our visitors how to make the most of it," Rowland said.
Intuitive signage at bins and ads boasting "Great Taste. Less Waste." at concessions aim to reduce contamination at the bins. And when that fails, employees play a role in sorting through misplaced compostables.
"We’re excited about the educational opportunity for visitors," said Rowland. "We know that doing more for the environment is what they’ve come to expect of us."
Find more about sustainability at the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center