Expo

Canal Cups

Thousands of single-use plastic cups were fished out of the canals after the 3 October Festival. The last 1000 cups were found in only 800 meters canal, and cup after cup they were photographed. Until the Municipality of Leiden switches to reusable deposit cups, two young biologists place a photo of a single-use canal cup on the @CanalCups Instagram every day. By doing so, they ask attention for this problem and address the stakeholders to end this flow of plastics to sea.

From December 29, 2018 to February 10, 2019, there was an exhibition in gallery Old School in Leiden. This was entirely dedicated to 'old and new.' From disposable to returnable cups! Visitors met the 1000 Leiden canal cups, discovered the dangers of plastic on the environment, drank from an eco-cup and took action themselves! They also talked to city councillors and students to put eco-cups on the agenda.

And with success! Last October 3, Leiden used eco glasses at the Leidens Ontzet and saved half a million plastic disposable cups. If it can be done in Leiden, it can be done everywhere! Which city will follow?