STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater Removing All Single-Use Plastic Straws

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Effective October 1^st at STAPLES Center and September 17^th at Microsoft Theater, all single-use plastic straws will officially be removed from the venues alongside their food and beverage partner Levy. Both venues will no longer provide plastic straws to guests who order beverages that traditionally have been served with a plastic single-use straw, upon request paper straws will be provided. A limited number of plastic straws will be available to guests with special needs.

“STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater are eager to join the movement towards reducing plastic pollution. As home to four professional sports franchises, concerts, family shows, numerous award shows and other high profile events, our venues have a responsibility to lead the way in the sports and live entertainment industry by continuing to grow our best practices and stay environmentally conscious,” said Lee Zeidman, President, STAPLES Center & Microsoft Theater. “As we continue to operate in the most environmentally conscious way, we also understand that recycling cannot be the only way to divert waste from landfills and finding eco-friendly alternatives at the source is equally important. By removing single-use plastic straws from our venue we continue our significant efforts towards environmental responsibility.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for our guests to join us in making a meaningful environmental impact through the removal of single-use plastic straws,” said Payman Khania, Vice President of Hospitality for Levy. “Few businesses can match the scope or impact of STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater in making this transition, and we’re excited to contribute to these buildings’ leadership in sustainability while continuing to provide a terrific guest experience.”

The move away from single-use plastic straws is expected to remove over 500,000 plastic straws a year from ending up in landfills. Most recently, California lawmakers on Thursday, August 23, sent Governor Jerry Brown a measure that supporters say would make California the first state to ban full-service restaurants from giving out single-use plastic straws unless customers request them. Democratic California Assemblyman Ian Calderon described his measure, AB1884, as a small step towards reducing plastic use and fighting pollution.

STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater and Levy will partner to responsibly dispose of the single-use plastic straws currently in inventory at the venues. Unused straws will either be donated to organizations representing individuals with special needs requiring the use of straws or will be recycled.

For more information on STAPLES Center’s sustainability efforts please visit: www.staplescenter.com/about/environment

For more information on Microsoft Theater sustainability efforts please visit: https://www.microsofttheater.com/sustainability