PNC Bank Arts Center Banning Single-Use Plastic

The plastic ban has been a hot issue all around New Jersey. Obviously getting rid of plastic bags and straws and styrofoam are good for the environment, but there are plenty of people (like myself) who still use grocery bags to pick up after our dogs. I'm fine if a restaurant gets rid of plastic straws, but the paper ones feel like they get too mushy too fast for me.

However you feel, it seems like the future is unstoppable, as more and more companies are going green.

Live Nation announced their "Green Nation" initiative, and laid out a number of plans to help the environment:

• Deliver a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
• End sale of single-use plastics at all owned and operated venues and events by 2021
• Work to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels where possible and pursue a low-carbon economy by sourcing renewable energy
• Aim for offices, venues and events to be zero waste to landfill and achieve a 50% (or higher) material recovery rate by 2030

Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, said:

Hosting over 35,000 concerts and festivals each year, Live Nation has the opportunity and responsibility to provide our artists and fans with a live music experience that protects our planet. The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable, and we want to use our place on the world stage to be part of the solution. Together our concerts, venues, festivals, and offices around the world are setting new sustainability standards for live events.

Without arguing about plastic bags or straws, I do think that it's an awesome step by Live Nation to try to clean up all of their venues. I don't know how many times I've left a show at the Arts Center and seen random garbage all over the lawn. It's even worse when they hold a big festival, where the parking lot and the outside lawn is trashed too.

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