Prague Launches Pilot Project of Refundable Cups at Selected Events

The City of Prague, in cooperation with Prague City Tourism launches a pilot project of refundable cups for events held on Prague's embankments and at the Exhibition Grounds. The aim is to promote the use of sustainable dishware instead of disposable consumer plastics. The city has allocated CZK 2.4 million for the project. After the test phase, the system will operate on a fully commercial basis, without any city support.

The City of Prague initiated the reusable cups project with the aim of strengthening the city's ecology. Prague City Tourism was commissioned by the city to implement the test phase of the project and distribute the cups at events. This will run from September 2022 to February 2024.

"At the moment, we have established cooperation with the Prague embankments and the Prague Exhibition Centre. We live in a time when we need to think sustainably, therefore we are launching a pilot operation and providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly version of refundable cups for selected Prague events," says František Cipro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prague City Tourism.

During the project, which will last 19 months, 50,000 refundable cups will be available. Throughout this trial period, event organisers can use the cups free of charge. After the roll-out phase, in early 2024, the city will evaluate the project and decide about future steps. The graphic design of the cups, called "For Sustainable Prague" accentuates the city's environmental intention. In addition, the colours and symbols on the cups will be updated regularly.

The city is thus building on its previous measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics. The Prague City Council passed a resolution committing the city to not provide any form of support to events using disposable packaging and dishware already in 2020. All organisers interested in applying for the City of Prague ‘s support are thus obliged to replace disposable cups, plates, etc. with reusable alternatives.

A year later, the Prague City Council also adopted a set of measures to minimise the use of single-use plastic products and prevent generating of large amounts of waste. Under this resolution, for example, only reusable or refundable tableware is now issued at sports, cultural, educational and social events for the public, organised or sponsored by the capital, and the waste is thoroughly sorted.

With these steps, the city is fulfilling its Climate Commitment approved in June 2019 and taking steps to implement the principles of the circular economy.