Major Portland companies collaborate to eliminate single-use cups

May 31, 2026 - 01:30

Three Portland-area companies have joined forces to tackle the waste problem at live events. McMenamins, Bold Reuse, and Straightaway Cocktails have launched a new reusable cup program at Edgefield Concerts. The initiative is expected to keep roughly 400,000 single-use cups out of the landfill over the course of the concert season.

The program works by replacing the standard disposable plastic or paper cups with durable, reusable alternatives. Concertgoers will receive a cup with their first drink. When they need a refill, they simply swap the used cup for a clean one at the bar. The dirty cups are then collected, washed, and sanitized by Bold Reuse, a local company that specializes in reusable packaging systems.

Straightaway Cocktails, which provides the pre-mixed cocktails at the venue, helped design the program to ensure the cups fit their serving needs. McMenamins, the hospitality company that owns Edgefield, provided the venue space and logistical support. The collaboration highlights a growing trend in the events industry to reduce waste without sacrificing convenience.

Organizers say the goal is to prove that large-scale reuse is practical. If successful, the model could be expanded to other McMenamins properties and events across the region. For now, the focus is on making the concert experience a little greener, one cup at a time.