At Bettercup, we get asked a lot about both event logistics and the right choices with reusable cups. It's a slightly different way of thinking about and managing an event, but it has many benefits.The right choice for reusables really depends on the event itself and your motivation. You may want to rent cups or you may want cups to keep forever as an event reusable or you might want cups to use as merchandise. If cups are merchandise, you put your logo or a sponsor logo on the cup, they're reusable throughout the event and then the customers can take them home to keep using them.
Apart from the obvious environmental responsibility of reusables over anything single use, event sites are definitely much cleaner (and way more photogenic) and there is far less rubbish (recycling, or industrial compost) sprayed around the grounds or to be removed when it comes time to clean up.
People generally respond really well to sustainability initiatives and organisers generally get great responses on social media etc to their commitment. There can be a few grumbles, but more often the initiatives even make the press, like Sydney Mardi Gras or Womad.In terms of organisation, they need to figure out a process and make sure all their staff are very clear on it, so I think it is more organisation certainly in the first year while they're figuring everything out. Essentially the labour shifts in a big way from cleaning and waste over to cup washing or logistics
We have honestly found this the most effective way to keep waste low with personal container management. Once a person has paid for something, they are more likely to place a value on it and look after it. If you charge enough to cover the cost of the cup, it doesn't matter if it goes home with your punter - if a cup is cool, many people choose to keep them.
The single biggest difference with reusables if you are keeping your own is that you have to wash them. Our cups are dishwasher safe, but the logistics really depends on your numbers and facilities, so talk to us and we'll help you out.
Our cups are made from PP5 polypropylene (recyclable, BPA free) so no broken glass issues.
How you manage an event in terms of deposit schemes will define your cost benefit equation. An event of 4,000 would serve around 12,000 drinks, which would cost $700 - $800 on industrially compostable cups plus rubbish removal. Using Bettercup, the up front cost of the cup is higher, but you can redeem it with either a surcharge or deposit on the cup - of simply pay the cost of course. As a corporate promotion, you have the good will opportunity to put your logo on the cup and offer a genuine souvenir.The events we do are super broad in terms of numbers, site facilities and the way they choose to implement the system, so if you need anything super specific or anything else, contact us and we'll sort it.