Thumbs up to champions of sustainability in stadiums

Stadiums across the UK and Ireland are increasingly taking action to tackle environmental challenges with carbon footprint reduction strategies and waste reduction commonplace. Keen to make the most of their scale and opportunities this affords them to lead, many venues are turning to innovative solutions that not only meet sustainability targets but also enhance the overall fan experience. Levy UK + Ireland are the leaders of sports and entertainment catering and are at the forefront of this change, delivering a groundbreaking approach to plastic reduction through their partnership with us at Notpla.

Announced at the start of 2024, the collaboration has already begun transforming over 50 venues across the UK & Ireland, including the iconic Kia Oval, into models of sustainability. With our unique seaweed-coated takeaway boxes, we’re replacing 75 million disposable items that would have contained plastic — a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of stadium and large-scale catered events. By working with Notpla, Levy is ensuring that fans can enjoy their meals without contributing to the growing plastic waste problem.

The Kia Oval: sustainability in action

As a venue committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, The Kia Oval were early to embrace sustainable solutions across its operations. In partnership with Notpla, the stadium introduced our seaweed-based packaging to cricket fans, creating a guilt-free way to enjoy food without the lingering consequences of plastic waste. Emily Iveson-Pritchard, Head of Sustainability at The Kia Oval, highlighted the venue’s vision, stating that “With Notpla’s innovative sustainable packaging, we take another stride towards our Net Zero goals.”

This introduction has set the stage for other Levy-operated stadiums to follow suit. Notpla packaging is compostable, water and grease-resistant, and, most importantly, free from the plastic and "forever chemicals" that plague traditional takeaway boxes. Fans at The Kia Oval are not just watching cricket—they’re participating in a movement toward a more sustainable future.

The Earthshot Prize and Notpla’s impact

As an Earthshot Prize winner, Notpla’s mission to create sustainable packaging has gained international recognition. This prestigious award, dedicated to recognising and accelerating environmental solutions, has amplified our profile and helped us expand our reach. The support from the Earthshot Prize has been transformational, allowing us to scale quickly and make an even greater impact through partnerships like the one with Levy.

“Our biodegradable product, which has the lowest environmental impact in class, is now in the hands of stadium-goers across the UK and Ireland,” noted Pierre-Yves Paslier, Co-Founder of Notpla. “Since our early trials at The Kia Oval, we’ve seen Levy’s dedication to reducing plastic waste. Together, we’re preventing millions of plastic items from being used, and we’re excited about the future of this partnership.”

A call to all stadiums: adopt the Notpla solution

The success we’ve seen with The Kia Oval should act as inspiration for all venues to join the movement. By adopting Notpla’s seaweed-coated packaging, stadiums across the UK and Ireland can make a significant impact on the fight against plastic waste. This is not just about meeting sustainability targets—it’s about fundamentally changing the way we operate, ensuring that the experiences we provide to fans are environmentally positive.

Imagine a future where stadiums are free of single-use plastics, where every takeaway box is compostable, and where sustainability is integrated into the very fabric of match days and events. This future is within reach, and Notpla is here to help make it a reality.

Will your venue be next to lead the charge for a greener, more responsible fan experience?