Do you remember the last time a venue gave you a paper cup? I'm consistently noticing a troubling trend in public venues, such as concerts, clubs and pubs: the overwhelming use of plastic cups instead of paper. My friends and I have rarely been offered paper alternatives, and this contributes to an excessive amount of unnecessary waste.

Plastic cups are more than just a waste problem; they pose a real safety hazard. During concerts and events, these cups often litter the floor. Their slippery nature and tendency to crack present a risk of falls and injuries to concert-goers. Switching to paper cups would mitigate this risk.

Beyond the safety concerns, there's the undeniable environmental impact by contributing significantly to pollution and landfill waste. 

In these venues, we rarely even see a single recycling bin! Furthermore, unscrewed empty bottles are confiscated meaning the use of the plastic cups given is the only option. In large outdoor venues, such as for festivals, it is nearly impossible to collect all the leftover littered cups. There is already such a negative impact of these large festivals themselves on the environment: do we really want to burden our planet even more with unnecessary and easily preventable waste?

Transitioning to paper cups is not just a dream – it's a practical step towards sustainability that venues can easily adopt. Many venues globally have already made the shift, prioritising both their patrons' safety and the planet's health. It's time for all music venues and nightclubs to join this movement and show their commitment to a greener future.

Let's urge all music venues and nightclubs to transition to paper cups and ensure safer, cleaner events for everyone. Music and dance brings us together and should be guilt free!

Sign this petition to make this change happen.