Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns has raised concerns about the environmental impact of popular festival Tomorrowland's reusable cups with tracker chips.
The festival has previously failed to comply with the law in 2024, resulting in a fine of over €700,000. To avoid future fines, Tomorrowland will using reusable cups from next summer onward. This is in accordance with Flemish Government requirements that all major festivals in the region to use reusable cups instead of disposable plastic cups reusable cups.
The festival plans to track the cups using RFID (radio frequency identification) chips made from rare earth minerals which would have a higher environmental impact. Brouns has expressed worries that these chips will be difficult to recycle, and recognises that most festival organisers have been able to work out a return system using low-tech systems.
Studies commissioned by the Flemish Government and neighbouring countries have shown that reusable cups have significant environmental benefits and reduce waste compared to disposable cups. However, the study did not take into account Tomorrowland's technologies. He did not say whether Tomorrowland would also be forced to develop a system without using advanced technology.
