Reusable glasses

In addition to being a good environmental measure, we also think it is a very good glass to drink from – solid and proper!

In collaboration with Ringnes and the rental company Rene Glass, we rent solid hard plastic glasses that after use will be washed and can be reused over 100 times! The reusable glasses can be rented by all organizers – small and large – and we believe this solution can replace millions of plastic glasses at festivals and events.

How does it work?

When you buy the first drink at Øya, you pay an environmental fee of NOK 25. When you are going to buy a new drink, you bring your glass back to the bar, and you avoid paying a new environmental fee.

What happens to the 25 kroner I pay in environmental fees?

The 25 kroner goes to cover our expenses with the reusable glasses: rental costs, washing and logistics related to the reusable glass.

Can I take the glass home one of the days and back the next festival day?

Yes, you can. If you bring the glass to the bar the next day, you avoid paying a new fee. But remember to return the glass to us in the end, so the glass can live on at other events – this way we get the highest environmental gain and avoid producing more plastic! You can also exchange the glass for a token at the bar, and bring it back to "pay" for a new glass the next day.

Can I take the glass home the last festival day to use it myself?

No. Remember that the point of reusable glasses is that they should be used up to 100 times so that we avoid producing more plastic. If you take the glass home, you take it out of the cycle and then the environmental gain disappears.

What happens to my glass after the festival?

After use, the glass will be sent back to the washing facility so it is ready for new use. The glasses are owned by the brewery, and can thus be used at all other events where the brewery serves beverages.

How many times can the glass be washed before it is taken out of circulation?

The glass can be washed at least 100 times before it is considered too worn to be used more.

What happens to the glass after the end of its life cycle?

After the glass has been used 100 times or has been damaged, the glass is ground up and recycled. We send the plastic waste back to the French manufacturer Ecocup, who uses the material to make new plastic products. This ensures that our plastic glasses are part of a cycle and can be reused many times.

Why is this a better solution than disposable plastic glasses?

Because it can be used again! The results from the research project we did together with NORSUS clearly show that for festivals with a good system for collecting and returning glasses for washing and reuse, the reusable glasses are one of the most climate-friendly glasses we can use for serving. Because the audience returns glasses to the bar or in the correct collection bin instead of throwing the glass away on the ground, we greatly reduce littering and keep the glasses in the reuse loop.

Why is the glass made of plastic – if plastic is the problem?

It is mainly the use of plastic – not the material itself – that is the problem. If you follow the life cycle of a regular plastic glass, 90% of the carbon footprint is in the production of the glass. This means that perhaps the most important thing is not to get rid of all the plastic – but to stop using things once. Half of the world's plastic is used only once.

Why are not the glasses made of recycled plastic?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to get approval to use recycled plastic for food and beverage packaging today. This is for hygiene reasons. We investigated the possibility of using glasses of recycled plastic, but found no manufacturers who did this in Europe. This does not mean that it will not exist in the future – and we of course hope that one day we can buy glasses made of recycled plastic, but for the time being we think this is a big step in the right direction!

Why are not the glasses made of compostable plastic?

We have until 2018 served drinks in compostable disposable glasses (PLA) at Øya. Because PLA should be able to be broken down and composted, they are not solid enough to be washed and reused. Therefore, our reusable glasses are made of PP plastic.

Where can I hand in my glass?

During the day you can hand in the glass in one of our bars – or in one of the collection bins for reusable glasses. It is the same whether you have a wine glass, beer glass or mineral water glass – all glasses can be delivered in all bars. By handing in the dirty glass in the bar, you avoid paying a new environmental fee. If you get tired of carrying your glass around during the day, you can get a token worth 1 reusable glass. This can be exchanged for a clean glass in the bar later.

Why do I have to pay an environmental fee now, you have always had glasses?

In order to be able to wash and reuse the glasses as many times as possible, we have gone for a solid hard plastic glass with a long lifespan. This is more expensive than the thin disposable plastics – and in addition comes the costs of washing the glasses, transport, distribution and loss. This is the background for the environmental fee. We are moving from a use and throw solution – to a use and wash solution – and this requires slightly different means. With regard to the environment, it is important that the glasses come back to us, and we believe the environmental fee is a good means to get most of the glasses back after use, so they can be washed and used again.

Can I bring my own glass from home and avoid the environmental fee?

No, unfortunately. This is for hygiene reasons, as beer can only be tapped in clean glasses, and we have chosen to wash the glasses outside the festival area. In addition, it is safer for both us and the customers that our glasses are used, so everyone knows what the content is and that it comes from a quality-assured source.

What happens if my glass gets damaged while I use it – can I still deliver it in the bar and get a new beer without an extra environmental fee?

No, the glass must be whole when it is returned to the bar. If the glass is broken, you must pay a new environmental fee.