On 28 May 2026, we joined the Sea Star Festival in Umag, Croatia, for a series of demonstration activities showcasing the PLUG & PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE circular system and its potential to transform the way festivals and large-scale events manage resources and reduce plastic waste.
Implemented as part of the REMEDIES Open Day, the demonstrations took place across two major events: the Bridge Conference and the Welcome Day of Sea Star Festival, which gathered over 48.000 visitors over four days. Together, these activities provided an opportunity to engage both industry professionals and festival visitors with practical, scalable solutions for reducing single-use plastics through reuse systems, digital tools, and circular resource management.
Demonstrating the PLUG & PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE System at Sea Star Festival
The Welcome Day of Sea Star Festival provided the ideal setting to demonstrate how circular systems can be integrated into real festival environments without compromising visitor experience.
Festival-goers enjoyed HEINEKEN beer served in the REMEDIES bio-based reusable cups. Designed as an alternative to conventional single-use plastic cups, the reusable cups form a core component of the PLUG & PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE system.
Beyond the cups themselves, visitors were introduced to the broader circular ecosystem behind the solution. The demonstration showcased how reusable products can be supported by dedicated operational infrastructure, including collection points, washing and sanitisation processes, and digital monitoring tools that facilitate cup circulation and reuse.
A key element of the system is the REMEDIES Deposit Return System (DRS), developed by CIBOS Innovation. Through a simple QR-based mobile application, festival-goers scanned and returned their reusable cup to the collection points, while the event organisers monitored distribution, exchange, and return rates. By combining reusable products with digital traceability, the system helps improve operational efficiency and encourages user engagement in circular practices.
The demonstration highlighted how festivals can significantly reduce waste generation by replacing disposable products with reusable alternatives supported by efficient collection, washing, and redistribution processes.
Engaging Stakeholders at the Bridge Conference
But we did not stop there. We also joined the Bridge Conference, one of Europe’s leading events connecting professionals from the music, technology, and creative industries.
At the REMEDIES information booth, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the PLUG & PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE system and its role in supporting the transition toward more sustainable event management.
Our team presented the environmental benefits of bio-based reusable cups, explained the operation of the Deposit Return System, and demonstrated how digital technologies can support circular business models within the events sector.
The conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue with festival organisers, event professionals, innovators, and decision-makers interested in adopting sustainable practices. Discussions focused not only on reducing plastic waste but also on the broader opportunities created by circular systems, including resource efficiency, user engagement, and the development of local circular value chains.
For us at alchemia-nova Greece, the Bridge Conference was an important opportunity to demonstrate how sustainability solutions can be embedded into the future of cultural and creative events.
Find out more about PLUG AND PLAY 2 ZERO WASTE.
