Together with ArtCor*, ECO Benfica implemented the first major project to involve members and fans: a system of reusable deposit cups at all sportive events at Estádio da Luz and Pavilions.
The cup has a deposit of €1 and can be used both in the Fan Zone and inside the stadium. The dirty object can be exchanged for a clean one free of charge at any point of sale and, at the end, the money can be recovered at various points in the Stadium.
This project brings three major benefits, which deserve to be explained so that supporters feel proud to be part of a change that the Club wants to operate:
1. Significantly reduces the accumulation of plastic waste in the venue
"Reuse your cup for a cleaner stadium" is not just the slogan of the project: there was indeed a noticeable reduction in waste in the Stadium and Fan Zone immediately after the implementation of the new cups.
In this way, it has been possible to achieve a better allocation of human, water and energy resources spent on cleaning the Complex.
2. Avoids continuous use of single-use plastics
Although the raw material consumption and related CO2 emissions to produce a reusable polypropylene (PP) cup are higher than a disposable cup, through good reuse, the paradigm is reversed, and the savings are very significant.
It is too early to really translate the number of single-use cups saved, but we can say that one reusable cup with four uses (either at the same event, or washed/sanitized and recirculated) is already more sustainable than four disposable cups.
3. Promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
The most sustainable management involves renting/deposit, washing/sanitizing and recirculating for the next event: without the return of a percentage of the cups, we would be using more raw material compared to the use of disposable cups. A well-managed reusable cup system has an ecological footprint up to 60% lower than a disposable cup system.
Logistics also has a relevant impact, particularly in the processes of transporting and washing/sanitizing the cups:
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The cups are produced in the Iberian Peninsula and washed 7 km from the Stadium;
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The washing and sanitizing process incorporates a large percentage of renewable energy (national energy mix + photovoltaic panels on the company's premises) in its energy consumption.
Several international studies have already shown that none of the disposable alternatives has as many benefits as the reusable cup, starting with the amount of waste generated at the end of events, whether sporting or other types of events - and most indicate that reusable polypropylene (PP) cups are the best solution for most of the scenarios studied.
By the end of the first two months of implementation, the return/reuse rate exceeded 40%. This project cannot be managed purely economically, as the ecological and social components have a major impact. To achieve this, it is essential that supporters embrace the spirit of reuse and look at the system with the circularity it requires.
*ArtCor is SLB's specialized partner, responsible for the entire operation from the production of reusable cups to sanitizing/washing, a process certified by the international quality management standard ISO 9001.
