One month in at Optus Stadium. Here’s what 300,000+ FSG NickNack reusable cups looks like.

On 21 March, our FSG NickNack team officially launched their reusable cup system at Optus Stadium. One month, seven events, and 300,000+ cups later, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what’s been built in collaboration with Optus Stadium and the fans.

A big start to the season

Optus Stadium opened its 2026 AFL season with a double header weekend: Fremantle v Melbourne on the Saturday, West Coast v North Melbourne on the Sunday. It was the perfect stress test for the new system.

Across the seven events since launch, 319,523 fans have gone through the gates. Everyone who bought a draught beer was handed it in an FSG NickNack reusable cup. And at the end of each event, those cups were collected, washed, sanitised, dried and ready to go again.

The numbers

• 300,000+ reusable cups used since 21 March
• 94% recovery rate
• 7 events, including a Western Derby
• 1.5 million single use cups to be prevented over the next 12 months

In Craig’s words

Craig Menzies, GM Food & Beverage at Optus Stadium, shared his thoughts:

“With another massive Western Derby at Optus Stadium this past weekend, the fans ticked over on 300,000 reusable cups used since March 21st this year. This prevented that number of single use cups being wasted. An achieved recovery rate of over 94% on those 300,000 cups over the first 6 events has been incredible and a testament to the great fans we have, doing their part in making Western Australia’s stadium sustainable.

A big thank you to FrothStop Group / FSG NickNack: their innovative wash facilities, handling and processes has made providing on average 50,000 cups each week, including a double header 90,000 cup weekend, easy.

In the next 12 months we hope to have prevented the use of over 1.5 million single use cups.”

– Friday 24 April 2026

A 94% recovery rate doesn’t happen by accident. It means fans are actively choosing to return their cups, event after event. That kind of behaviour change is hard to achieve, and it says as much about the fans coming through the gates at Optus Stadium as it does about the system itself.

How it works

The FSG NickNack system is a closed loop. Cups are delivered to the stadium, used, dropped into designated bins by fans, collected after the event, then washed and sanitised off-site before being returned for the next game.

At 50,000 cups per event on average at Optus Stadium, and up to 90,000 across a double header weekend, the logistics behind that loop matter as much as the cup.

The FSG NickNack cup isn’t just reusable in name. EU certified for 500 washes, BPA free and made from durable polypropylene, it’s built to keep going. Every cup that comes back is one that doesn’t end up in landfill, and at 500 washes per cup, the numbers compound quickly.

Our FSG NickNack ambassador

We’re thrilled to have one of the most respected players in AFL history, and someone who genuinely gets what we’re building, as the official FSG NickNack ambassador. Find out more.

What comes next?

The goal for FSG NickNack over the next 12 months is to prevent the use of 1.5 million single use cups at Optus Stadium alone. Based on the first month, that’s well within reach.

Every second counts, let’s get there!

FSG NickNack is a division of FrothStop Group, providing closed loop reusable cup systems to major venues and events globally. Find out more on our solutions page.