Why Tomorrowland wants an exception to the use of disposable cups: “The environment does not benefit if we have to destroy three million cups” (Boom)

Since June last year, organizations are only allowed to offer drinks in reusable cups at events. In this way, the Flemish government wants to reduce the use of disposable plastic cups and food packaging and promote reuse. Last year there was an exceptional measure to make the transition easier for festival organizers, but this year there are no longer any exceptions. Only organizers who can demonstrate that no environmental benefits can be achieved with reusable cups could possibly receive an exception. Tomorrowland applied for such an exception for the third time, but was met with a ‘no’ from the competent minister Demir.

READ ALSO. Once again no exception for Tomorrowland to use disposable cups: “Yesterday’s environmental approach is not possible”

“There are strong and logical arguments why we believe in real environmental benefits with our proposed use of beverage packaging at Tomorrowland 2024,” Tomorrowland said. “We also refer to a study by a specialized environmental research agency that supports this.”

“A Tomorrowland with a ‘Yesterday approach’ in terms of the environment? As far as I’m concerned, that’s unacceptable.”

Zuhal Demir

Flemish Minister for the Environment

“In 2022 we purchased cups for use during Tomorrowland in the summers of 2023 and 2024, which was permitted within the rules in force at the time. We would achieve less environmental benefit if we had to destroy or not use these three million cups and then completely switch to reusable cups in 2024.”

Yet the festival is not an exception. “If other festivals can do it, so can Tomorrowland,” the minister reasoned. “A Tomorrowland with a ‘Yesterday approach’ in terms of the environment? As far as I’m concerned, that’s unacceptable.” Demir’s cabinet also emphasizes that the cups should not be destroyed. The cups can still be used on the private market, among other things. In addition, the organization allegedly admitted that they purchased the cups knowing that they could no longer be used, according to the minister’s spokesperson.

Tent canvas made from recycled cups

Tomorrowland says it is indeed in favor of reusable cups. The zones in which these cups are used at the festival will also be expanded this summer. “We are going from 320,000 reusable cups in 2023 to one million in 2024, both at Dreamville and in certain areas of the festival site,” Tomorrowland explains. “So we would like a combination of both systems: reusable cups in closed zones and using up the existing stock of three million cups in all other zones.”

READ ALSO. The money or the environment? Why major festivals would rather lose reusable cups than gain them

The festival organization also cites its other environmental initiatives. “Together with our partners, we ensure that 98% of beverage packaging is recycled correctly. This way, after sorting, the cups already purchased can be perfectly processed into granules to be made into cups again with the necessary certificates. There is also a plan in place to process the entire 2024 stock of cups into a huge tent canvas for a new tent that would be introduced in 2025.”

“Not above the law”

“It is important to emphasize that Tomorrowland does not place itself above the law,” concludes Tomorrowland. “But we believe it is crucial to achieve effective environmental benefits, because that is ultimately the heart of the matter. This environmental benefit is achieved through the operation we are now proposing.”