Ovens Auditorium Leads the Way with Reuse in Charlotte
Overview
Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte’s premier performing arts venue and part of the Queen City's historic Bojangles Entertainment Complex (BOplex), has emerged as a regional leader in sustainability by replacing all single-use cups used for alcoholic beverages with a reusable cup program in partnership with Bold Reuse.
This collaboration is among one of the first-of-its-kind reuse programs in Charlotte, as part of Bold Reuse’s East Coast expansion to help venues reduce waste and rethink their reliance on single-use plastics.
The Challenge
The Charlotte City Council's vision affirms, “Charlotte will become a global leader in environmental sustainability, balancing economic growth with preserving our natural resources.” This commitment guides city-wide efforts to manage energy, air, water, and waste more responsibly.
In alignment with this vision, the City of Charlotte recognizes that protecting natural resources and promoting conservation are essential to both quality of life and economic vitality. Venues are being called upon to reduce waste and environmental impact without compromising operations or guest experience.
At Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte’s largest performing arts theater, this challenge became an opportunity. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) manages the venue and worked with Bold Reuse to launch a reusable cup program to reduce single-use waste. This initiative directly supports the city’s Circular Charlotte commitment to achieving zero waste while fostering innovation and economic opportunity.
Single-use cups are a major contributor to landfill waste and drive up post-event cleanup costs, making reuse a practical and impactful step toward Charlotte’s sustainability goals.
Ovens Auditorium aimed to:
Reduce single-use waste generated at concerts and performances
Align with community and industry-wide sustainability goals
Launch a reusable solution without disrupting venue operations or fan enjoyment
Create new jobs
The Bold Reuse Solution
Bold Reuse brought its proven circular operations model to Charlotte, collaborating with the Ovens Auditorium team to deliver a fully integrated, branded reuse program tailored to the venue and its audience, supporting both environmental goals and guest satisfaction.
Program features include:
Durable, custom-branded cups (9oz, 12oz, 16oz, and 24oz) distributed at beverage points of sale
On-site signage and bin design to educate guests and encourage participation
Back-of-house systems and weekly collection logistics
Commercial-grade washing and sanitization services, ensuring food safety compliance
Real-time data tracking for operational transparency and impact reporting
The launch at Ovens Auditorium coincided with a parallel initiative at Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets, creating a citywide shift toward reuse in entertainment venues. Both venues are managed by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), and these reuse programs support the city’s broader Circular Charlotte mission.
Fun fact: The 16oz reusable cups match the previously used single-use cups at nearby Bojangles Coliseum, offering a seamless visual and functional transition.
The Impact (So Far)
Even in its early stages, the program at Ovens Auditorium has delivered impressive results:
On track to prevent 90,000+ single-use cups annually from entering the waste stream
87% average return rate
Nearly 1,000 pounds of waste diverted from landfill
Zero single-use beverage cups used for alcohol since launching in February
While long-term data is still being collected, early feedback shows strong guest engagement and operational success. The program has:
Created visible engagement around sustainability for guests and staff.
Demonstrated that reuse works in performing arts venues, not just sports arenas.
Positioned Ovens Auditorium as a sustainability leader within Charlotte’s entertainment scene.
Looking Ahead
Ovens Auditorium is proving that reuse can thrive in performing arts settings, delivering measurable environmental benefits while maintaining a great guest experience. With strong participation, smooth operations, and early impact already visible, the program sets the stage for broader adoption across BOplex and the Charlotte area.
As venues like Spectrum Center prepare to relaunch reuse for major events and concerts, Charlotte is demonstrating its commitment to green innovation, job creation, and zero-waste leadership in the Southeast. Ovens Auditorium has shown that circular systems can succeed in live entertainment, and its success could inspire other venues and sponsors to join the movement.
