On March 14 and 15, we accompanied Blackworks at a new edition of its festival at IFEMA Madrid, consolidating a collaboration that we have been developing at multiple events as its supplier of reusable cups. This occasion was no exception: the festival once again opted for 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 reuse systems at its bars for several editions now. Its commitment to reusable cups not only complies with current regulations, but also reflects a genuine desire to reduce the environmental impact of its productions. This translates into a significant reduction in waste and a cleaner, more conscious experience for its attendees.
Furthermore, Blackworks has proven to be an innovative and constantly evolving festival. With a strong focus on production quality, the use of cashless technology, and the implementation of sustainable solutions such as the reuse system, it has positioned itself as a benchmark in the large-scale music scene in Spain. Its commitment is not only to music, but also to the environment, safety, and the audience experience.
Preparation: design, production, and logistics
Weeks before the event, the ENCORE! team worked alongside the Blackworks team to coordinate the production and customization of the reusable cups, in line with the image the brand wanted to project at the festival.
We also manage delivery and collection logistics at the event venue, ensuring smooth operations throughout all phases.
In addition, as Blackworks' regular supplier at various events held in Spain, we took care of 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 estimates of capacity, number of bars, and service volume, which made it possible to determine 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, around 60,000 reusable cups were 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 staff. The counting boxes, with a capacity for more than 300 cups, allowed for the agile management of used cup returns without the need for constant replacements.
At the heart of the festival
During the festival, the implementation of reusable cups was seamlessly integrated into the overall operation of the event, including the cashless system. The cup was priced at €2, and its exclusive design made it another souvenir for attendees.
Cups were collected directly at the bars, which made it easier for the public to return them and helped prevent them from ending up as waste. Boxes were replaced continuously throughout the event, allowing operations to run smoothly and keeping the bars clear.
In addition to the smooth operation, the festival atmosphere 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 look at the cup design, took photos with friends, and even collected several as souvenirs of an epic night.
The glass, turned into a collectible souvenir, not only represented the experience, 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 floor, and cleaning the venue was quicker and easier.
At the end of day 1, the bars were restocked with boxes of clean cups and the boxes of dirty cups were stored neatly. 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 later collection by our carrier.
This meant that the Blackworks team was completely freed from managing the cup stock after the event. An efficient solution that reduced time and effort and allowed them to focus on the general dismantling of the festival.
Professional cleaning for a new lease of life
After the event, the glasses 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 per day. Our process, which is certified and complies with European regulations for reusable containers, includes ATP Metris tests that guarantee cups are free of microorganisms.
The washing process is designed to preserve the original printing on the glass, whether screen printed or IML, without affecting its design or finish.
All of 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 event prevented the generation of more than 1.7 tons of plastic waste.
In addition, as cups produced at 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 significant positive environmental impact, but also demonstrates that well-planned and executed reuse systems are a viable alternative to the disposable model.
ENCORE!, your partner 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 tailored to your operations, please write to us. We will be happy to help you design a customized solution. 🌍💡
