Athens clarifies entertainment-district rules to allow reuse and resale of approved cups

ATHENS, Ala. — The Athens City Council amended the city’s entertainment-district provisions on Sept. 22, 2025, to add clarifying language that allows retailers to reuse, rewash and resell approved entertainment-district cups. The change, adopted 4-0, is intended to formalize current practice using durable cups in the entertainment district and to allow merchants to recycle or resell those cups without violating district rules. Council member Turner (presenter) explained that the principal change appears in section 3 of the draft ordinance and is intended to allow retailers to reuse the durable cups commonly used in the entertainment district. "That would allow recycling some of those cups by the merchants," a presenter said. The ordinance amendment was presented as a cleanup and clarification to existing code language; council approved the rule suspension necessary for immediate consideration and then adopted the ordinance by roll call vote, 4-0.