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Since 2022, you drink from a circular cup at the Vierdaagsefeesten. This is a soft cup made from recycled plastic (rPET) and is recognizable by our logo on the rim. When you return your cup to the bar, old cups can be turned into new ones!
This is how we work together for cleaner festivals, less plastic waste, and comply with the applicable regulations. Help us by returning your last cup to the bar!
This is how our cup system works
All outdoor bars at the Vierdaagsefeesten participate in the same system and use the same cup, so you can order a new drink with your empty cup at any stage or terrace in the city center. The 4Daagse walking march is also part of this system at the start and finish locations at the Wedren and military camp Heumensoord. It’s unique in the Netherlands, and a major achievement that we, together with so many different entrepreneurs, are all using the same system at such a large, open event!
We use single-use cups that are recycled because a reusable hard cup (for now) has too many disadvantages in terms of hygiene, availability in large quantities, and logistics. The single-use cups must be clean and carefully collected in order to be turned into new cups, which isn’t possible if they’ve been lying on the ground and, for example, have sand on them.
That’s why we need the help of our visitors to return the used cups to the bar and close the loop. How does it work? When you purchase your first drink, you pay a one-time €1sustainability surcharge. For each subsequent order, you only pay the price of the drink if you return a cup.
The results
We are proud of the results from 2022, the first year we used the circular cup. Together with the public, we managed to collect and recycle 58% of the cups in a high-quality way. Everyone was also happy with the clean streets!
In the years that followed, our percentage remained around 70%. Although we strive for 100%, in 2025 we made great progress with 76%. This result was made possible in part by the increase in the sustainability surcharge from €0.50 to €1. However, we did not reach the legally required 80% in 2025. In 2026, we need to recover 85% of the cups. The good news? We are making progress every year, thanks to your help!
The past editions have proven that you truly want to contribute to sustainability. So, help us close the loop: always return your cup to the bar, including the last one!
About the system
By returning your cup to the bar, we can collect it cleanly. Dirty cups are accepted, but they can no longer be recycled properly. So always make sure to keep your cup clean. The clean cups are collected and, after a final check, are recycled into plastic pellets.
These pellets are then sent to the factory, where new cups (or other food packaging) are made from them. The cups that are not clean enough are recycled into pellets that are suitable for other plastic products with less strict hygiene requirements.
The cups are made from rPET (recycled PET). Currently, this is the only material that can be high-quality recycled into new cups. For example, bioplastic cannot yet be recycled in this way, making it a less sustainable option. This is also the reason that the legislation, which came into effect in 2024, states that this is the only material allowed in a circular system.
Check out the frequently asked questions about the cup system here.
Only cups that are collected separately can be turned into new ones. We show this in the video – will you help too and return your last cup?
With the help of partners like the 4Daagse, DAR, Albron, Stichting CircularPET, and the municipality of Nijmegen, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to make this an even bigger success every year. So that you can easily return your cup to the bar, and in the coming years, you might even drink from the same – recycled – cup.