FORGET the debate about whether to install drop-in pitches at the Gabba.

There’s a new argument brewing on the horizon – the fate of the “beer snake”.

The stacking of several plastic beer cups to form a “snake” has been regular sight at the Gabba and other sporting venues around Australia for several years.

But the “snake’s” days are numbered.

In what has been called a “major environmental breakthrough”, Sydney Showground venues have entered into an agreement with WISE to ban single-use disposable plastic drinking cups, starting from Sunday afternoon’s AFL Round 1 clash between the GWS Giants and Essendon at the Harbour City’s Spotless Stadium.

Instead, fans will pay a gold coin deposit, receive a reusable cup with their first drink purchase and then get a fresh, new cup for free exchange with each refull.

The unofficial longest “beer snake” – believed to be between 100m and 175m – was formed in January 2013 during a rain delay in one-day cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the SCG.