The Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens, is set to introduce infinitely recyclable cups made from aluminum produced in the Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec for sports and entertainment events thanks to a new partnership between Rio Tinto and the Montreal Canadiens.
The five-year agreement is part of the Montreal Canadiens’ The Goal is, a green initiative, presented by Banque Nationale, which aims to reduce the organization’s environmental footprint, support green and renewable resources and encourage fans to do the same.
Commenting on the agreement, Daniel Trottier, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Headquarters Officer of Groupe CH Daniel Trottier said: “When Montreal Canadiens fans make their way to Bell Centre to cheer on their favorite team, they first walk down Cour Rio Tinto, where we celebrate the greats of our storied franchise.”
On the other hand, Sebastien Ross, general manager, Atlantic Aluminum Operations, at Rio Tinto said: “The low-carbon aluminum we proudly produce in Québec is reusable, traceable and infinitely recyclable. Our company has deep roots in Montreal and the province of Quebec, and through partnerships like this, we are finding better ways to provide the materials needed to make events and locations in our host communities more sustainable.”
In this way, the new aluminum cups are expected to replace 1.5 million single-use plastic cups per year, representing approximately 24 tons, or the equivalent of a fully loaded large truckload, of plastic removed from the environment. The City of Montreal banned the use of single-use plastics earlier this year.
Rio Tinto’s hydroelectric operations in Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean employ more than 4,000 employees, while producing some of the world’s lowest carbon-emitting aluminum. Although the partnership will be effective immediately, the new mugs with a new and original design will be available to fans by the end of the year.
