client
Sheffield Food Festival
project title
Reuse at Sheffield Food Festival
industry
Festival
time frame
24th May - 26th May 2025
383Kg
carbon saved
103Kg
SINGLE-USE SAVINGS
1,211
30oz Ice Cream Pot Equivalent
Sheffield Food Festival and Sheffield Action on Plastics partnered with Circulayo to deliver a streamlined, digital experience for their reusable cup system. The aim was to reduce single-use waste, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainable alternatives.
While reusable cups had been trialled in previous years, the approach lacked scalability and ease of use. Circulayo’s technology changed that, enabling a seamless, trackable system. With a 90% average return rate, the solution proved a major improvement over past efforts.
This partnership marked a significant shift in how reuse can be embedded in large-scale public events.
Sheffield Food Festival and Sheffield Action on Plastics partnered with Circulayo to deliver a streamlined, digital experience for their reusable cup system. The aim was to reduce single-use waste, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainable alternatives.
While reusable cups had been trialled in previous years, the approach lacked scalability and ease of use. Circulayo’s technology changed that, enabling a seamless, trackable system. With a 90% average return rate, the solution proved a major improvement over past efforts.
This partnership marked a significant shift in how reuse can be embedded in large-scale public events.
technology overview
For Sheffield Food Festival, our two key technologies were used, the Flow platform and AppNostic, to collect data on usage, impact and engage consumers in the reuse system.
The Flow platform powered the digital reusable cup and wine glass system, enabling seamless tracking, return monitoring, and real-time data collection. This allowed the team to monitor usage trends and capture key ESG metrics, including estimated plastic and carbon savings, while ensuring a smooth, user-friendly experience.
AppNostic provided a QR-code-enabled digital touchpoint to further engage attendees in the festival. When scanning the code printed on their reusable cups, users were directed to a fully branded site with Sheffield Food Festival content.
From there, they could access stall information, browse event details, view environmental savings and impact, and take part in a survey for a chance to win tickets to future events. This interactive layer not only supported engagement but also reinforced the sustainability message of the reuse system.
Although no personal data was collected, the platform gave meaningful insight into digital engagement, with 289 AppNostic scans recorded over the weekend. This demonstrated strong interaction with the reuse system and highlighted how reuse infrastructure can also serve as a valuable communication channel.
Together, Flow and AppNostic offered a scalable, engaging, and data-aware approach to integrating reuse into a busy public event.
deployment
Circulayo worked closely with Sheffield Food Festival organisers and Sheffield Action on Plastics to plan and implement the reusable cup system.
The deployment included the set-up of bins around the bar location, enabling attendees to easily return their reusable cups upon leaving the bar area throughout the event.
Attendees could view the location of the return points by scanning the QR code on their cup to view the nearest bin location to return their cup.
Over the three-day Sheffield Food Festival, Circulayo’s technology supported a smooth and successful rollout of the reusable cup system. The solution was deployed in a contained zone near the main bar, where thousands of attendees gathered throughout the weekend to eat great food and listen to local music and dance entertainment.
Our reuse bins were placed next to regular waste bins, accompanied by clear, purpose-designed signage that encouraged people to return their cups to the correct bins, rather than disposing of them.
Festivalgoers actively engaged with the system, returning the cups and scanning QR codes to access AppNostic. The Flow platform provided real-time visibility on returns, contributing to an impressive 90% return rate, and saving 103Kg of single-use waste, 383Kg of carbon emissions over the weekend.
As planning begins for next year, Circulayo and festival organisers are looking to introduce a deposit-based Tap & Return system. This will allow attendees to pay a small deposit when borrowing a cup and receive a full refund upon return.
