Rogers Stadium is gearing up to host major concerts this summer, featuring acts like Guns N’ Roses and Chris Stapleton. Alongside the music, the venue is shining a spotlight on its sustainability efforts.
Live Nation Canada staff are dedicated to lessening the environmental impact of large-scale concerts by integrating sustainability practices into every aspect of the venue, from construction to waste management post-event. Nathalie Burri, senior vice-president of operations for Live Nation Canada, emphasized the venue’s commitment to reusability, highlighting that almost everything at Rogers Stadium is designed to be disassembled and repurposed.
Recycled materials were used in the construction process, with the site’s topography and soil composition incorporating various recycled elements. Concert attendees are encouraged to use public transportation, with free rides home offered upon presenting their event tickets.
One of the venue’s successful initiatives was a reusable cup program introduced during Coldplay’s performances last summer, which saw over 115,000 reusable cups deployed with a remarkable 97% return rate. This program has now been expanded to all concerts at the stadium in 2026.
Additional sustainability measures at Rogers Stadium include free water refill stations, compostable food packaging, and initiatives to minimize food waste by donating surplus meals to local communities. Travis Wong, senior director of business operations for Live Nation Canada, affirmed the organization’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics and diverting waste from landfills.
While acknowledging these advancements, environmental advocate Kim Fry of Music Declares Emergency Canada believes there is still much progress to be made in Canada’s live music industry. Fry commended Live Nation’s efforts at Rogers Stadium but stressed the industry’s lag in comparison to more environmentally advanced venues in the U.S.
Fry emphasized the importance of reducing waste, particularly in food packaging and transportation emissions, pointing to Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ont., as a model for sustainable practices. She urged venues to forge stronger partnerships with climate and sustainability organizations to address the urgency of the climate crisis.
Live Nation plans to build upon its sustainability initiatives at Rogers Stadium, aiming to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030.