Last March 14th and 15th, we supported Blackworks in a new edition of their festival at IFEMA Madrid, consolidating a collaboration that we have been developing in multiple events as their reusable cup supplier. This occasion was no exception: the festival once again committed to a complete reuse system, demonstrating that sustainability and large scale can go hand in hand.
A brand committed to sustainability
Blackworks is a brand that has been implementing reusable systems in its bars for several editions. Their commitment to reusable cups not only complies with current regulations but also reflects a genuine conviction to reduce the environmental impact of their productions. This results in a significant reduction of waste and a cleaner, more conscious experience for their attendees.
Furthermore, Blackworks has proven to be an innovative and constantly evolving festival. With a strong focus on the quality of its production, the use of cashless technology, and the implementation of sustainable solutions such as the reuse system, it is positioned as a benchmark in the large-format music scene in Spain. Their commitment is not only to music but also to the environment, safety, and the audience experience.
The preliminary preparation: design, production, and logistics
Weeks before the event, the ENCORE team worked with the Blackworks team to coordinate the production and customization of the reusable cups, according to the image that the brand wanted to project at the festival.
We also managed the delivery and collection logistics at the event venue, ensuring smooth operations during all phases.
In addition, as a regular supplier to Blackworks at various events held in Spain, we were responsible for washing the reusable cups, many of which came from previous editions and were reintegrated into the system for this occasion.
The entire process was designed based on the estimated capacity, number of bars, and service volume, which allowed us to define the number of cups needed, their design, and the associated operational resources to ensure efficient reuse.
For this edition, 36,000 CUP40 cups with an exclusive premium IML design were produced, and 24,000 cups from the previous festival in Barcelona were reused. In total, nearly 60,000 reusable cups circulated during the two days of the event.
Grids and counting boxes were also provided to facilitate the collection of dirty cups at the more than 8 bars served by 60 cashiers, optimizing flows and reducing the operational burden on the staff. The counting boxes, with a capacity of more than 300 cups, allowed for agile management of used cup returns without the need for constant replacements.
In the heart of the festival
During the festival, the implementation of reusable cups was seamlessly integrated with the overall operation of the event, including the cashless system. The cup had a price of €2, and its exclusive design made it another souvenir for attendees.
Cup recovery was carried out directly at the bars, which facilitated their return by the public and helped prevent them from ending up as waste. The replacement of boxes was carried out continuously throughout the event, allowing for agile operation and clear bars.
In addition to the smooth operation, the atmosphere of the festival was charged with energy and excitement: thousands of hard techno fans and Blackworks followers enjoyed the experience with their reusable cups in hand. Upon receiving their drinks, many attendees stopped to observe the design of the cup, took photos with friends, and even accumulated several as a souvenir of an epic night.
The cup, transformed into a collectible souvenir, not only represented the experience lived but could also be reused hundreds of times at home, reinforcing its value beyond the event.
Operational closure and post-event management
At the end of each day, the result was clear: there were no thousands of cups on the ground, and cleaning the venue was faster and easier.
At the close of day 1, the bars were restocked with boxes of clean cups, and the boxes with dirty cups were stored in an orderly manner. At the end of day 2, the process was repeated, and finally, all the cups were palletized, separating the clean ones from the used ones for subsequent collection by our carrier.
In this way, the Blackworks team was completely freed from managing the stock of cups after the event. An efficient solution that reduced time, effort, and allowed them to focus on the general dismantling of the festival.
Professional washing for a new useful life
After the event, the cups were collected and sent to one of our professional washing centers, where they underwent a complete process of pre-washing, washing, drying, quality control, and packaging in new boxes.
We have several centers in Spain, equipped with state-of-the-art industrial washing tunnels, with the capacity to wash more than 12,000 cups a day. Our process, certified and compliant with European regulations for reusable packaging, includes ATP Metris tests that guarantee cups free of microorganisms.
The washing is designed to preserve the original impression of the cup, whether it is screen printing or IML, without affecting its design or finish.
All our models are compatible with this system, and we also accept cups not manufactured by ENCORE!.
Thanks to this process, each cup can be reused up to 100 times, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, sustainability, and traceability.
Positive impact: waste avoided
Each reusable cup weighs approximately 30g, so with more than 57,800 cups used, the generation of more than 1.7 tons of plastic waste was avoided at this event.
Furthermore, as cups produced in previous events were reused, it was necessary to manufacture a much smaller quantity of new cups for this edition. This reflects how Blackworks, event after event, improves its level of reuse, significantly reducing both waste generation and the costs associated with the use of packaging.
This not only represents a great positive environmental impact, but also demonstrates that well-planned and executed reuse systems are the real alternative to the disposable model.
ENCORE!, your ally in sustainable events
Our experience with Blackworks is an example of how sustainability and efficiency can be integrated into large-scale events. From planning to washing, we take care of everything so that organizers can focus on creating memorable experiences.
If you are organizing an event and want to implement a reuse system adapted to your operations, write to us. We will be happy to help you design a customized solution. 🌍💡
