Bayern Munich recipient of environmental award

During the halftime break of Bayern Munich’s season opening win over Hoffenheim, the club received an environmental award based on the club’s use of reusable cups. This initiative was implemented last year at the Allianz Arena. Instead of using disposable plastic cups for beverages, the club decided to implement reusable cups that the fans could purchase at the Allianz Arena for only 2 Euro to cut down on plastic waste. Do & Co, the arena’s official caterer, were responsible for setting up procedures for the dispensing and return of the cups so that they could be purchased and professionally cleaned in Bergkirchen, just outside of Munich.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge accepted the “Reusable Champions” certificate from Barbara Metz of the Duh Federal Board during halftime of the Hoffenheim match on behalf of their successful reusable cup campaign. Metz was thrilled to be presenting the award, and said that Bayern is setting the right example with their efforts to reduce plastic waste (via FCBayern.com):

Plastic waste has become one of the biggest environmental problems. FC Bayern are therefore showing exactly the right way forward to get this problem under control. The change at the Allianz Arena willsave over one million disposable beakers over the course of the season. That’s why we are presenting the award to FC Bayern. We look forward to other clubs following this positive example.

Upon receiving the certificate, Rummenigge went on the thank the Bavarian Environment Industry for their cooperation and also touched based on some of Bayern’s future plans for sustainability projects:

The change to a reusable cup system is also the result of close co-operation with the Bavarian Environment Ministry. Based on environmentally-sound construction and the use of future technologies, the Allianz Arena has been a venue for years that sets standards in domestic and international professional football. Since 2006, our sustainably-operated stadium has conformed to the strictest European guidelines – according to the EMAS scheme. The next project will be cleaner electricity, which we will obtain through the installation of solar panels on our new multi-storey car park. I’m very happy the German Environmental Aid has rewarded the commitment of FC Bayern Munich to environmental protection.

Bayern is a proven titan of industry both on and off the pitch and it’s always refreshing to see projects like the reusable cups do so well, and for such a great cause. What could be better than enjoying a beer from a cup that goes towards a great cause while watching Bayern Munich do their business on the pitch?

It’s also important to remember that two of Bayern’s kits; one of the pre-match training tops and the recently leaked third kit, are all part of Adidas’ partnership with Parley, an organization created to help raise awareness and find solutions for reducing plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.