During the recent REMEDIES General Assembly in Athens from 4 to 6 May, we organised a hands-on demonstration of the REMEDIES reusable cup system and the REMEDIES DRS mobile application, integral parts of the PLUG AND PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE, at the premises of Impact Hub Athens.
In collaboration with the Greek microbrewery Blame the Sun, we combined local entrepreneurship, sustainable consumption, and digital innovation to raise awareness around reusable systems and plastic waste reduction.
Bringing circular solutions into everyday experience
Rather than discussing circular economy concepts only through presentations and meetings, we invited REMEDIES partners to actively engage with the reusable cup system developed within the framework of the project.
Throughout the event, we served beverages from Blame the Sun brewery in the REMEDIES Zero Waste cups, allowing participants to experience firsthand how circular consumption models can be integrated into real event environments.
Through this initiative, we demonstrated how festivals, conferences, and public gatherings can move away from single-use plastics by adopting practical reuse systems supported by smart digital tools.
The REMEDIES DRS: Supporting reuse through digital innovation
An important part of the experience was the REMEDIES DRS (Deposit Return System) mobile application, developed by our partner, CIBOS Innovation. The application enables the tracking of reusable cup distribution, swapping, and return during events through a simple QR-based system.
Using the app, participants were able to:
- register and associate with the event campaign,
- access a personal QR identifier,
- participate in cup exchange activities,
- and monitor their personal reuse statistics in real time.
The system supports three core exchange functions:
- Distribute – receiving the first reusable cup,
- Swap – exchanging a used cup for a clean one,
- Collect – returning the cup at the end of use.
By combining reusable products with digital traceability and user engagement, we showcased how technology can facilitate behavioural change and improve the operational efficiency of zero-waste systems.
Building local collaborations for systemic change
Our collaboration with Blame the Sun highlighted the importance of involving local businesses in the transition toward circular and sustainable event models.
As a local Greek microbrewery with a strong identity and community-oriented philosophy, Blame the Sun helped us create an authentic and engaging experience that connected sustainability with local culture and social interaction.
At the same time, this initiative reflected one of the key principles behind the PLUG & PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE system developed within REMEDIES: building local circular ecosystems where innovation, businesses, communities, and users actively participate in reducing waste generation.
From awareness to adoption
By demonstrating the REMEDIES Zero Waste cups and DRS system during the General Assembly, we enabled REMEDIES partners to explore not only the technical aspects of the solution, but also the user experience and practical implementation challenges of reuse systems in real event settings.
We believe that pilot actions like this are essential for testing scalable alternatives to single-use plastics and encouraging broader adoption across festivals, tourism destinations, and public events throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region.
At Alchemia Nova Greece, we believe that meaningful change happens when circular solutions become visible, practical, and easy to use. Through collaborations like this, we continue working toward cleaner events, reduced plastic pollution, and healthier ecosystems through innovation, participation, and local action.
