The World Cup 2026 is set to bring millions of visitors across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. For hotels, restaurants, cafés, and event venues, this means a massive influx of customers and a major operational test. With 48 teams playing across 104 matches, the hospitality and food service sectors are gearing up for a sustained spike in demand.
However, scaling up operations also means confronting a significant environmental footprint. From everyday takeaway packaging and beverage cups to tissue products, the sheer volume of waste generated during large-scale events puts immense pressure on local infrastructure and corporate sustainability goals.
The Reality of Scaling Up Sustainably
Large sporting events force hospitality businesses to prioritize speed and efficiency, which naturally increases the reliance on disposable products. At the same time, consumer expectations are shifting:
- Heightened Awareness: Modern travelers and event attendees are increasingly observant of waste and single-use plastics.
- Operational Dilemmas: Businesses are tasked with finding alternative packaging that reduces environmental impact without failing under high-volume pressure.
- Performance Requirements: A sustainable cup or container is only useful if it doesn’t leak or fail mid-service.
Because of this, the industry is gradually moving away from conventional plastics toward materials that offer a more balanced lifecycle, such as compostable, PFAS-free, and certified food-safe options.
Exploring Practical Alternatives: The Foopak Line
While no single product solves the entire waste crisis, packaging suppliers are developing options to help businesses mitigate their impact.
While no single product solves the entire waste crisis, packaging suppliers are developing options to help businesses mitigate their impact. As part of this effort, APP Group offers a portfolio of sustainable paperboard solutions designed to fit into existing food service workflows.
One notable example from their range is Foopak Bio Natura:
- Biodegradable & Compostable: This specific paperboard option was developed to offer a direct alternative for high-volume takeaway meals and beverages.
- Functional Design: It aims to provide the necessary liquid and grease resistance required for commercial food service, helping businesses transition away from traditional plastic linings without sacrificing performance.
These products aren’t a silver bullet, but they represent a practical step for operators looking to reduce their landfill footprint during peak tournament traffic.
Looking Beyond the Product Lifestyle
Adopting better packaging is only effective if it is backed by responsible supply chains. To address the broader impact of paper production, APP Group’s sustainability commitments operate under its Regenesis platform, an ongoing framework that focuses on:
- Forest Conservation: Working to balance raw material harvesting with active restoration and land management.
- Carbon & Resource Management: Identifying ways to reduce emissions and energy consumption during the manufacturing process.
- Community Engagement: Partnering with local communities near production sites to support economic stability.
These initiatives don’t claim perfection, but they reflect an ongoing effort to ensure that the products used during major events don’t come at the cost of long-term ecological health.
A Collaborative Step Forward for 2026
As the hospitality sector prepares for the logistical realities of the World Cup, balancing service speed with environmental responsibility remains a complex challenge.
Everyday operational choices, down to the tissue paper and food containers used, play a small but cumulative role in the event’s total footprint. By offering practical, tested alternatives, suppliers like APP Group are simply aiming to give hospitality businesses the tools they need to navigate this high-demand period a bit more responsibly.
