Rot-Weiss Essen will be introducing a reusable cup system for serving drinks from the new 2024/25 season onwards. The football club is being supported by its catering partner, Ulrich Catering, as well as REMONDIS Resource Management GmbH, based in Essen, Germany, which is responsible for the logistics and washing processes. Together, the three partners have created a sustainable solution that avoids the majority of the waste produced on match days.
From left: RWE Board Member Alexander Rang, Marius Behr (RWE Marketing), David Ulrich (Ulrich Catering GbR), Stephan Tschentscher (REMONDIS Authorised Signatory), Johannes Hatting (REMONDIS Head of Reusable Packaging) and Roland Lenders (Managing Director of REMONDIS Resource Management GmbH)
Short distances to the washing centre
After being used, the cups are washed in the immediate vicinity of the stadium: REMONDIS operates a processing plant for glass and a counting centre for disposable PET bottles as well as a state-of-the-art washing centre for reusable packaging in Essen’s city harbour. In addition to reducing waste, this cooperation also means that CO2 emissions can be kept to a minimum thanks to extremely short transport distances.
Up to 8,000 cups per hour are hygienically cleaned and completely dried in REMONDIS’ 14 metre long washing line. Only around 30 millilitres of water are used per cup and the company’s own solar energy system provides green electricity for the washing process. “We are delighted about the cooperation within the extended neighbourhood,” commented Roland Lenders, managing director of REMONDIS Resource Management GmbH, and sales manager Johannes Hatting, added: “The regular match operation makes reusable cups very easy to plan and, therefore, perfectly complements our other reusable activities.”
The new reusable cups are dishwasher-safe and can be cleaned more than one hundred and fifty times without any loss of quality
First use of the new reusable cups
The new reusable cups celebrated their premiere on 26 July for the test match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Drinks are now served exclusively in reusable cups in both the public and VIP areas.
‘Sustainability and environmental protection are issues that are becoming increasingly important not only in society, but also in club sport. We are aware of this responsibility and would like to take a first step towards a cleaner stadium with the reusable cup system. We are also emphasising the goal of the climate pact concluded in November 2023 – to become climate-neutral by 2040 – with the Green Capital Essen,’ says RWE board member Alexander Rang.
Sustainable reusable concepts
REMONDIS Resource Management from Essen is now the partner of choice for reusable tableware at many events in North Rhine-Westphalia – both for cups and for plates, bowls and snack bowls made of PP.
The commitment in the state capital Düsseldorf and the cooperation with AWISTA is a prominent example: All public events in Düsseldorf – from carnivals and city festivals to funfairs – are equipped with reusable packaging for snacks.
REMONDIS offers the complete portfolio from Essen, from rental to logistics and washing up to storage and the next use.
Further information [in German] can be found at: www.remondis-mehrweg.de
Image credits: © Rot-Weiss Essen
