TETON VALLEY, IDA – In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste at their popular Music on Main concert series in Victor, the Teton Valley Foundation has implemented a new Cup Rental Program. The program was brought to fruition by several community partners and modeled after one implemented by Slow Food of the Tetons for the People’s Market in Jackson.
According to Dave Hudascko of RAD Curbside Recycling, last year 16 cubic yards of purely plastic cup waste ended up in the landfill following Music on Main. The plastic cups used in 2017 were compostable and separated from the garbage for this reason, but when taken to the transfer station in West Yellowstone they were no longer accepted. This meant all of those cups ended up in the landfill.
The waste troubled RAD Curbside and TVF executive director Lauren Bennett. So they began exploring a better way. That led them to the Cup Rental Program.
How it works
Concert-goers can purchase a reusable steel cup at the show for $10 and use it all night or all season. If they decide they don’t want to use the cup anymore they can return it to receive their $10 back. This way they can enjoy their drinks without contributing to the landfill.
“Our goal for the 2019 season is to eliminate plastic cups from the shows entirely. With that goal in mind we worked to see what we could do this year to have an impact and move closer to going totally plastic free,” Bennett said. “The program has been a huge success so far and we are so thrilled with the community’s warm reception of making the event more sustainable.”
Some 450 people have chosen to participate in the cup program so far this season in the first week.
Bennett added, “That’s really the ultimate goal is to eliminate the plastic so whether they are using our cups or their own the end result is the same. By opening the door to this program we’ve seen a lot more of our locals bringing their own cups which is fantastic.”
The Cup Rental Program is sponsored by RAD Curbside and in cooperation with local cup retailer Liquid Hardware, Teton Valley Community Recycling, and Spoons Bistro, who sanitizes the cups each week.
