Cups for climate

How significant is the environmental impact when large events such as trade fairs or festivals switch from disposable to reusable cups? This question was explored by students of the Sustainability Management degree programme at IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences as part of a course project.

In cooperation with the international waste management company Brantner, which is based in Krems, the students analysed an eleven-day major event with around 120,000 visitors to assess the resource savings achievable through a reusable cup system.

Reusable cups make a huge difference in terms of CO₂ emissions

The findings are impressive: by replacing disposable cups with reusable ones, between 170,000 and 220,000 cups could be saved. This corresponds to an average reduction of around 5,000 litres of crude oil and a CO₂ reduction of over 90 percent. That potential reduction in CO₂ emissions is roughly equivalent to an electric car driving three times around the world.

“These results demonstrate how even small, well-planned measures can have a big impact. Large events hold tremendous potential to contribute meaningfully to climate protection,” explains programme director Karl Michael Höferl, who supported the students in carrying out the calculations.

For the Krems-based company Brantner, the collaboration with the university offered a valuable opportunity to combine academic insights with practical industry experience. “We see great potential for waste reduction at major events and are pleased to be working together with the next generation on sustainable solutions,” said Denise Thiery, Marketing Director at Brantner green solutions.

This cooperation serves as a prime example of how applied science can make a difference in a regional context – and how students gain valuable hands-on experience in sustainability management by tackling real-world challenges.

Sustainability Management bachelor degree programme