LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crypto.com Arena is proud to announce the launch of an exciting pilot program with r.World, the nation’s No. 1 reuse platform, and advancing its and AEG’s commitment to the reuse economy, with the introduction of the r.Cup reusable pilot program during the highly anticipated Depeche Mode concerts on December 15 and 17, 2023 at the downtown Los Angeles arena. The reusable program, a pioneering collaboration with r.World’s innovative solutions, signifies a pilot initiative for Cypto.com Arena’s journey towards long-term sustainability. The inaugural effort sets the stage for an environmentally responsible future as r.World was chosen based on its innovative, turnkey, cost-effective, and operationally and environmentally efficient reuse platform. While Crypto.com Arena with its partner ABM now sorts, on site, single use food service ware for recycling, this pilot program will allow Crypto.com Arena and r.World the ability to divert hundreds of thousands of single-use cups from the waste stream through reuse.
“We are incredibly thrilled to collaborate with r.World on this exciting pilot program as we continue to explore additional sustainability options starting with the Depeche Mode concerts this month,” said Lee Zeidman, President of Crypto.com Arena. “We were inspired by the artists' passion for eco-conscious initiatives and felt this was a fantastic opportunity to implement this exciting inaugural pilot with AEG’s established partner, r.World. Commencing with the electrifying Depeche Mode concerts, our aim is to ignite a wave of positive change and rally our audience and partners to actively participate in shaping a more eco-conscious future. We thank members of Depeche Mode and their management team, as well as Live Nation, for helping to inspire the deployment of this reusable program for the upcoming concerts at the arena.”
Crypto.com Arena recognizes the need to address the environmental impact of single-use plastics and is eager to advance their leadership role in implementing positive changes within the entertainment industry to pave the way for a more environmentally responsible future at one of the world's busiest and liveliest entertainment venues. The r.Cup reusable pilot program represents another big step for Crypto.com Arena’s sustained environmental responsibility, and this marks the beginning of a dedicated journey towards a more environmentally responsible future contributing to a sustainable legacy for generations of fans to come and the arena. Following the pilot program, Crypto.com Arena will evaluate the data from the two concerts and if it is successful, they will look to collaborate with current or future partners to make r.World a full-time option to guests and fans in the future.
“We’re excited to work with Crypto.com Arena - as one of the busiest venues in the world, the positive environmental impact potential of reuse is massive,” said Michael Martin, r.World Founder and CEO. “They’ve led the industry and operated in the most environmentally innovative ways since opening in 1999, and so it’s no surprise they’re launching the pilot reuse program in the LA market and ultimately, driving change across the live events industry.”
r.World focuses on building the requisite infrastructure needed to accelerate reuse at scale, working with trailblazing venues, including Crypto.com Arena, plus cities, corporations, concessionaires, restaurants, breweries, movie theaters, museums, zoos, schools, and more. In addition to Los Angeles, r.World has industrial Wash Hub facilities also servicing Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. To meet market demand for reuse, the company’s rapid expansion plans include 8-12 more cities in the next 24 months.
About Crypto.com Arena
Crypto.com Arena has undoubtedly developed an unrivaled reputation for excellence having established itself as one of the world’s busiest and most successful venues in the world. As the home of four professional sports franchises – the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, the NHL’s LA Kings and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks – Crypto.com Arena has proven to be a home court advantage for the local teams. The AEG owned and operated arena continues to distinguish itself as the host of major, high-profile events of national and international distinction including the 2004, 2011 & 2018 NBA All-Star Games, 2002 & 2017 NHL All-Star Games, 2000 Democratic National Convention, 2009 World Figure Skating Championships and 20 GRAMMY Awards shows. Crypto.com Arena's twenty-three years have also been marked with performances and special events that brought international stature to the downtown Los Angeles venue including concerts from Taylor Swift, Drake, Beyoncé, Prince, U2, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Usher, Jay-Z, Keith Urban, Roger Waters, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Michael Bublé, Carrie Underwood and Justin Timberlake, as well as world championship boxing, family shows and special events. Hosting over 250 events a year, the arena’s reputation for world-class amenities, features, and commitment to quality of service and the guest experience is second to none. These include comfortable seating, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, concession stands offering a variety of food and beverages, and merchandise stores where fans can purchase team-related memorabilia. Crypto.com Arena is not only a great venue for sports and entertainment, but it also holds a special place in the hearts of the local community. It has witnessed numerous historic moments, unforgettable performances, and has become an iconic landmark in the city of Los Angeles.
About r.World
r.World (formerly dba r.Cup) is the nation’s No. 1 reuse platform, focused on building the infrastructure, platform, and movement for the reuse economy. r.World provides event venues, businesses, and other operations with simple, turnkey, and cost-effective reusable alternatives - including r.Cup reusable cups and r.Ware reusable food ware containers - to replace single-use disposables. r.World is powered by r.Turn, the company’s platform that tracks inventory and environmental impact. Founded in 2017, r.World has diverted millions of single-use cups and containers from landfills in over 100 cities, 40 states and 12 countries. At the time of formation, r.World (dba r.Cup) Founder and CEO Michael Martin donated 10% of the company to non-profits tackling the single-use waste crisis. r.World is globally recognized as a sustainability innovator, with awards including being named as a Fast Company “Most Innovative Company” (2020), Fast Company “World Changing Idea” (2021), and The Reusies 2022 “Most Innovative Reuse Company” (Food & Beverage). For more information, visit rworldreuse.com.
