NYC Council Scores on Legislation Allowing Refillable Containers in Venues

In a move that will reduce waste in the nation’s largest city, the New York City Council has enacted legislation requiring operators of sports stadiums and arenas to allow attendees to bring refillable beverage containers into events in those venues. 

The legislation—introduced by Council Member Shaun Abreu of Manhattan’s 7th District—directs that stadium and arena managers, “shall not prohibit an individual attending any professional or collegiate sporting competition. . . from bringing a reusable beverage container into the sports venue.” 

The bill makes clear that reusable beverage containers made primarily from aluminum and stainless-steel products (generally considered the most environmentally friendly substances for refillable containers) must be allowed into all venues.

Once the new law, which Mayor Eric Adams is likely to sign, takes effect in the spring of 2024, it is expected to eliminate the consumption and disposal of hundreds of thousands of plastic water bottles at New York City stadiums and arenas, every year. 

Covered by the legislation are the city’s largest sports facilities, including Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, Arthur Ashe Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and the Barclays Center, as well as smaller venues like Columbia University's Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, St. John’s University's Carnesecca Arena, and Wagner College Stadium. 

The new legislation, Intro 1161-2023 A, had the backing of 38 co-sponsors in the 51-member council, and support from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. It is one of several recent council initiatives aimed at slashing the amount of fossil-fuel based plastic products entering the waste stream and part of a broader council focus on cutting the city’s contribution to the climate crisis.

Some stadium operators around the nation have prohibited fans from bringing refillable beverage containers into sporting events and concerts out of largely unfounded safety concerns—and perhaps to boost sales of water and other beverages sold on premises.

Under this legislation, stadium and arena operators may require that containers not have a capacity greater than 24 fluid ounces and be empty when patrons arrive at the turnstiles.

Among those supporting the new legislation is the United States Tennis Association, which hosts the annual U.S. Open Tennis Championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. In a November 30, 2023 letter to Council Member Abreu, the association’s chief operating officer expressed support for the legislation, noting that at U.S. Open events, fans are already allowed to bring their own metal or plastic water bottles into tennis matches and can fill them at on-site refilling stations. 

The impacts of the New York City Council action could be wide-ranging. “This is one of those rare opportunities where a change in law in NYC will truly change eco-practices widely throughout the USA and at venues around the world,” said Allen Hershkowitz, founding director and chair of Sport and Sustainability International and environmental science advisor to the New York Yankees baseball team.