Prague City Hall and Prague City Tourism are launching a pilot project of returnable cups at selected Prague events
Prague, 2 September 2022 - The City of Prague in cooperation with Prague City Tourism is launching a pilot project of returnable cups for events held on Prague’s Embankments and at the Exhibition Grounds. The aim is to promote the use of sustainable utensils instead of single-use consumer plastics. The city has set aside CZK 2.4 million for the project. At the end of the test phase, the system will move to fully commercial operation without Municipal support.
The City of Prague has initiated a project of returnable cups in pursuit of better urban ecology. Prague City Tourism was commissioned by the City to implement the trial phase of the project and distribute the cups for the events. The initiative will run from September 2022 to February 2024.
“I am glad that we have finally managed to start the project of recyclable cups on Prague’s Embankments. We want to give a clear signal to the organizers, because non-returnable trash has been growing, especially during more major events. This is also an important step in terms of sustainability and recyclability and reuse of the cups and other things in what we feel is the right way forward, with due regard to environmental friendliness,” says Jan Chabr, Councillor for the Management of Municipal Assets.
“At this stage we have established cooperation with Prague Embankments and the Prague Exhibition Grounds. The times we live in require us to think sustainably, which is why we are launching a pilot operation and providing the sustainable and environmentally friendly option of returnable cups for selected Prague events,” confirms František Cipro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prague City Tourism. “The cups should be making their first appearance at the Farmers’ Markets on the Embankment on Saturday, 3 September 2022,” he adds.
During the project, which will last 19 months, 50,000 returnable cups will be available. Throughout this trial period, event organizers will get to use the cups completely free of charge. After the end of the start-up phase at the beginning of 2024, the City will evaluate the project and decide on the next steps. The visual aspect of the cups, with the message ‘For Sustainable Prague’ brings attention to the City’s ecological mindset. The colours and symbols on the cups will be refreshed and kept topical as needed.
“We very much welcome the return of the system of returnable cups to Prague’s Embankments, especially for the significant reduction in the ecological impact of visitors, something we have long been striving for in other areas, too,” adds Petr Hozman, curator of Prague Embankments, while future plans are outlined by the manager of the Embankments, Dušan Sahula: “After this year’s start at the Farmers’ Markets, we would like to introduce returnable cups on board our ships next season and possibly in other establishments on Prague’s Embankments."