Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – At the Ghent Festivities, organisers will tighten security at cup storage areas. With 450,000 cups in use, police and Ivan Saerens address abuse and plan a 40-cup return limit.
As VRT News reported, at the Ghent Festivities, organisers are making security tighter at the places where reusable cups are stored. This comes after some problems with people possibly misusing the cup return system. The festival has a setup where anyone who buys a drink also pays a small extra amount as a deposit for a reusable cup. They can get that money back when they return the cup.
Many people like this idea because it helps cut down on plastic waste. But now, some organisers believe the system is being taken advantage of. Ivan Saerens, who speaks for the square organisers, said that large groups of cups have been found in strange spots. Some organisers have even started using the term “cup gangs” to describe those who are possibly doing this just to collect a lot of deposit money.
What’s going wrong with reusable cups at Ghent festivities?
Around 450,000 reusable cups are used during the Ghent Festivities. Some people are bringing back a very large number of cups. Organisers are not sure if these cups were stolen or picked up in the wrong way. They think some people may be taking advantage of the system. The rules say anyone can return cups, and there is no limit.
Organisers want to keep the system fair and safe. They also want to protect people who are just helping by cleaning up. To stop abuse, they are adding more security to the places where cups are stored. They will also check cup returns more closely.
“We’re noticing some suspicious activity,”
Saerens continues.
“We see groups hanging around the areas where the cups are stored, and we often see the same people trying to redeem large quantities of cups multiple times in one evening.”
On Monday, July 21, 2025, they stopped a car near Dampoort and found many clean, unused cups in the trunk. Police did not say the exact number, but it was enough to make them suspicious. They think the cups might have been stolen or taken the wrong way. The police are now looking into the case but are not giving more details yet.
“We’re going to better secure the storage areas,”
Says Saerens.
“We’re also going to be more vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the police more quickly.”
Organisers are thinking about setting a limit on how many cups people can bring back at once. Ivan Saerens, a spokesperson, said the limit could be 40 cups per person. This rule would help stop people who try to make money by collecting large numbers of cups. He said that anyone who shows up with hundreds of cups is seen as suspicious.
He mentioned that the system is made for short-term use, not for collecting large amounts. But people who come with friends or family do not need to worry. If one person returns all the cups for the group, that is still allowed.
“On the contrary, we can’t overdo it, and the system works, much to the satisfaction of our visitors,”
Says Saerens.
