CUP4CARE - 2026 Edition

Mary Einbinder
Jun 19
2 min read

CARE and the Music Council are launching the latest edition of CUP4CARE to mark the Fête de la Musique 2026.

The festival season is in full swing, but these summer events generate a significant amount of waste: several tonnes, the majority of which consists of returnable cups.

In response to this environmental challenge, CARE Belgium is offering a simple and practical solution through its CUP4CARE initiative, an action that helps reduce waste whilst supporting a humanitarian cause!

From Cup to Solidarity

The principle is as follows: when purchasing a drink, festival-goers receive a returnable cup, which is often left on the ground after use. CUP4CARE therefore encourages them to return these to a dedicated collection point.

Each cup returned is then converted into a donation for CARE Belgium’s humanitarian projects. This system helps both to support charitable initiatives and to reduce the environmental footprint of festivals, at no extra cost, by cutting down on waste management expenses.

A gesture to support women’s economic empowerment

Beyond its environmental and social impact, CUP4CARE also aims to be a welcoming space. At the stand, festival-goers can take part in various activities. Among these, the wheel of fortune is particularly popular: in exchange for a few cups, participants can try their luck at winning charity-themed goodies.

These items (tote bags, pouches or embroidered coasters) are made by the Ifassen craft cooperative: a Moroccan cooperative that employs Berber women who create hand-woven items, and which is supported in its entrepreneurial development by our partner organisation, CARE Morocco. This is a practical way to extend the initiative’s impact by supporting women’s economic empowerment.