Montreal Canadiens swap single-use plastic for recyclable aluminum cups

Rio Tinto has partnered with renowned ice hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens, becoming their official aluminium sponsor. The Bell Centre, the iconic home of the Canadiens, will soon feature eco-conscious aluminium cups crafted from local sources in Quebec's Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean region.

In this five-year collaboration that supports the Canadiens' "The Goal is Green" initiative, backed by Banque Nationale, the focus is on reducing the organisation's environmental footprint, championing sustainable resources, and inspiring fans to follow suit.

The aluminium cups are set to replace around 1.5 million single-use plastic cups annually, saving approximately 24 tonnes of plastic – equivalent to a fully loaded large truck. This aligns with Montreal's recent ban on single-use plastics.

Rio Tinto's eco-friendly operations in Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean, powered by over 4,000 employees, produce some of the world's lowest carbon aluminium. Fans can expect to enjoy these sustainable cups, made from 100% locally sourced aluminium, by the end of 2023, featuring a distinctive design.

This partnership builds on the longstanding relationship between the Montreal Canadiens and Rio Tinto. The company has previously supported the Canadiens' Children's Foundation BLEU BLANC BOUGE program, including sponsoring the construction of a multisport rink in Saguenay. Additionally, both organisations share La Cour Rio Tinto, a communal space in front of the Bell Centre and Rio Tinto's Montreal hub, which houses Rio Tinto's Aluminum business, Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium, and the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

Sébastien Ross, Managing Director, Aluminium Atlantic Operations, at Rio Tinto said: The low-carbon aluminium we proudly produce right here in Québec is reusable, traceable, and infinitely recyclable. Our company has deep roots in Montreal and the province of Québec, and through partnerships such as this one, we are finding better ways to provide the materials needed to make events and locations in our host communities more sustainable.