The start of this summer festival season also marked a major boost for festivals' sustainability drive as a ban on disposable cups comes into force, but not for all.
From 15 June this year, festivals will be forced to serve drinks in reusable cups, PET bottles and cans. However, Belgium's biggest festivals have been excluded from this rule for another year, calling into question the measure's impact in 2023.
The "big four" of the Belgian festival scene — Graspop, Tomorrowland, Rock Werchter, and Pukkelpop — earlier this year vowed to cut the emissions produced by their events by planting trees.
However, at the same time, they have requested an exemption from using reusable cups from Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA), saying they were not yet logistically ready for it.
Gradual changes
At the major festivals, additional conditions are imposed, with Demir making a distinction between the performance areas on the one hand, and the campsites and backstage on the other, where reusable cups have to be enforced. "In this way, a gradual transition can be done at the biggest events this year, but also take their example."
Some 20 smaller organisers who still have a large stock of disposable cups, purchased before the federal ban, can also postpone their transition to reusable cups.
"Simply throwing that purchase into the waste paper basket would be a shame, both for the environmental pressure and the costs incurred," a statement from Demir read.
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The Flemish festivals TW Classic and Werchter Boutique will work entirely with reusable cups, including on the festival grounds.
In 2024, the minister's ability to grant exceptions will expire, however, as the Federal Government implemented a ban on the sale of disposable plastic cups at the start of this year.
It is hoped the measure will become fully effective, including at the major festivals, from next summer.
