Brooklyn’s Barclays Center teams up with Earth Brands for sustainable packaging

Barclays Center, Brooklyn's premier sports and entertainment venue, has announced a new sustainability initiative in partnership with Earth Brands, a supplier of plant-based, compostable packaging products. The collaboration marks a significant step in the arena’s ongoing commitment to eliminating single-use plastics from its operations.

As part of this partnership, Earth Brands’ eco-friendly products, made from PLA (a bio-based plastic derived from renewable sources), will now be available at concession stands and premium hospitality spaces during all events at Barclays Center. These include compostable cups, containers, and cutlery designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising convenience.

Barclays Center has long been recognised as an industry leader, not only for its world-class entertainment and sporting events but also for its dedication to sustainability. The venue has implemented energy and water-saving initiatives, recycling programmes, and eco-conscious procurement practices, with this latest move underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility.

The partnership with Earth Brands represents a tangible step towards reducing waste and encouraging sustainable practices among fans and event attendees. By adopting compostable packaging, Barclays Center aims to set a precedent for other venues while enhancing its reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious destination.

Catherine Carlson, Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships at BSE Global, parent company of Barclays Center, said: Partnering with Earth Brands is another step in Barclays Center’s ongoing commitment to reducing waste and expanding our sustainability efforts. Our arena was the first sports and entertainment venue in the New York area to eliminate single-use plastic straws and will have diverted more than 300 tons of waste from landfills by the end of 2024. We are excited to partner with Earth Brands to further enhance our sustainability practices at Barclays Center, and they will be essential to help us achieve our long-term waste diversion goals.

Peter Frelinghuysen, Earth Brands Co-Founder, said: We are very excited to partner with Barclays Center, the only large-scale sports and entertainment arena in Brooklyn, and a venue that shares our commitment to sustainability and innovation. By making the switch to our plant-based, compostable cups and foodware, Barclays Center is helping us lead the global transition to sustainable products and together, we are changing the game one sip at a time.

This collaboration highlights the growing trend of integrating sustainability into the sports and entertainment industry, with Barclays Center leading by example in prioritising the planet alongside the fan experience.