With an average of around 266 cups handed in per day, in the first 40 days of the “Reusable Cups” campaign Lisbon has already managed to save 10,668 containers, making it the first European capital to introduce these automatic return machines, in a project that plans to install 17 of these recycling points by October (2025).
With the aim of preventing the waste of up to 240,000 cups a month, the equivalent of three million a year, this strategic initiative has the cooperation of Lisbon City Council, AHRESP and Tomra, a leader in the field of automatic collection machines.
According to the CML, Lisbon uses more than 3 million single-use cups every year, especially in nightlife areas such as Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Santos. Many of these cups end up on the streets or even in the Tagus River, generating significant environmental and visual impacts.
The Councillor for Urban Hygiene, Rui Cordeiro, stresses that the ambition is to
to build a simple, reliable and attractive system that can be replicated in other cities.”
President Carlos Moedas stresses that this is
another step in strengthening sustainability policies, and that the aim is to expand the network to new areas of the city.”
How do these machines work?
This innovative project, which is still in its infancy, is based on three pillars:
- Making reusable cups available at events and participating establishments;
- Creating strategic collection points to facilitate return;
- Carrying out awareness campaigns aimed at residents and tourists, highlighting the positive impact of reuse.
To use this reusable cup collection machine , proceed as follows:
- You receive the reusable cup when you buy the drink, upon payment of a deposit;
- After use, you can return the cup to any of the 17 vending machines planned until October;
- The deposit is returned immediately, and the cup is washed and distributed in the participating establishments.
You can already find these machines in Príncipe Real and Largo de São Paulo, and the mission is to partner with 300 bars, cafés and event spaces in this first initial phase.
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook,Instagram and now WhatsApp too!
