Drinks may only be served in reusable cups, PET bottles and cans at festivals from 15 June. However, pints at major festivals such as Tomorrowland, Rock Werchter and Graspop Metal Meeting will still be served in disposable cups.
Around 1,700 events must comply with stricter legislation regarding how beverages are served this summer. However, organisers of several major festivals have requested exemptions from these rules from the Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir, Flemish newspapers reported on Monday.
"We obviously do not want to shut these festivals down, but rather create a positive impact on the environment," said spokesperson for Demir Andy Pieters. "If it is not possible to work with reusable cups, we understand that."
However, festival organisers must demonstrate why they are unable to comply with the new regulations, such as if they cannot wash reusable cups fast enough, for example. "You have to consider public health, which is why the cups need to be completely dry again after washing. Otherwise, bacteria can spread."
Logistical challenges
Tomorrowland is working with reusable cups at the campsite, but not at its festival site yet. "We have 200,000 visitors per weekend and the market is not ready to supply, wash and stock that volume of cups. The bars are not prepared for that either."
As there will be no place at the venue to manage them, Tomorrowland will have to transport the cups off-site, which organisers explained is not an ecological solution and will be burdensome on the neighbourhood. "Moreover, we still have a huge stock," festival spokesperson Debby Willemsen explained.
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The day festivals Werchter Boutique and TW Classic will use reusable cups for the first time this summer, whereas the four-day Rock Werchter festival will stick to single-use cups.
"I am hoping that we will be able to be fully reusable by next year because we want to follow this legislation. We are currently seeing a lot of catching up among suppliers and dishwashing companies," said spokesperson for event organiser Live Nation, Nele Bigaré.
Spokesperson for Demir Andy Pieters stated that 2023 is a "transitional year", but major festivals will not be exempt from the legislation in due course.
The disposable cups are 'rPET' almost everywhere, which means they are made of recycled material and are collected after use.
