Automated Reusable Cup Returns at Splanekor 2.0: Smart DRS at a Cultural Event in Trenčín

Splanekor 2.0, organised by Trenčín 2026, transformed the banks of the river Váh into a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture and community. The one-day outdoor event brought together unconventional boat races, sports activities, music and gastronomy as part of the European Capital of Culture programme.

To support reusable packaging operations, Smart DRS deployed one Dual Smart Collection Point next to the gastro zone, enabling visitors to return NickNack reusable cups and receive instant refunds directly to their payment cards.

The deployment demonstrated how compact reusable cup return infrastructure can successfully support high-volume public events while delivering a simple and convenient visitor experience.

Key outcomes

Challenge

One-day public events create highly concentrated peaks in beverage consumption and packaging returns.

Splanekor 2.0 transformed the river Váh into a place of creativity, community experiences and outdoor activities. Families, groups of friends and visitors gathered throughout the day to enjoy sports activities, food, music and the famous parade of unconventional boats.

For organisers, reusable cup systems at public events require a return process that is:

• easy for visitors to understand;
• convenient during peak periods;
• able to process multiple cups quickly;
• simple to operate outdoors;
• capable of supporting instant deposit recovery.

Managing reusable cups manually during short-duration events can increase staffing requirements and create unnecessary friction for visitors.

Solution

Smart DRS deployed one Smart Collection Point in its Dual configuration, equipped with:

• two return slots;
• two payment terminals;
• AI-powered cup recognition;
• instant payment card refunds;
• no mobile application requirement.

The deployment demonstrated how a single automated reusable cup return system can efficiently support reusable packaging operations during a one-day public event.

Deployment Setup

The Smart Collection Point operated throughout the event between 12:00 and 23:00.

The visitor journey was simple:

Step 1
Visitors purchased beverages served in NickNack reusable cups and paid a €2 deposit.

Step 2
After enjoying their drinks, visitors brought cups to the Smart DRS return station.

Step 3
The system automatically recognised eligible cups.

Step 4
The deposit was refunded instantly to the visitor’s payment card.

Step 5
Returned cups entered the collection stream and could be prepared for reuse.

The solution operated outdoors and required no mobile application, making the return experience fast and intuitive.

Results and Learnings

During Splanekor 2.0, Smart DRS processed:

● 1,016 reusable cups returned

● 474 return transactions

● An average of 2.14 cups per collection

The strongest return activity occurred between 14:30 and 16:00, shortly after the main programme on the river reached its peak.

The deployment demonstrated several practical learnings:

• visitors frequently return more than one cup in a single transaction;
• even a single Smart Collection Point can successfully support a public event;
• automated returns remain effective during concentrated visitor peaks;
• outdoor cultural events can successfully implement reusable packaging infrastructure.

Operational Benefits

For organisers, the deployment demonstrated:

• fewer manual return points;
• reduced staff requirements;
• no cash handling;
• simple deposit recovery;
• smooth visitor experience;
• efficient collection of reusable cups;
• practical deployment with a compact infrastructure footprint.

The case study shows that even one Smart Collection Point can provide sufficient return capacity for many public and community events.

Sustainability Impact

Reusable packaging systems only work when visitors can return packaging easily.

At Splanekor 2.0, Smart DRS supported circular event operations by:

• encouraging reusable cup returns;
• simplifying participation in reusable packaging schemes;
• enabling reusable cups to re-enter circulation;
• reducing dependence on single-use beverage packaging;
• demonstrating scalable reusable cup return infrastructure for cultural events.

Why This Matters

Automated reusable cup return systems are not only suitable for large sports tournaments and major festivals.

Splanekor 2.0 demonstrates that reusable packaging return infrastructure can also operate successfully at:

• cultural events;
• public celebrations;
• city festivals;
• family events;
• community gatherings;
• one-day outdoor events.

The deployment further strengthens the evidence that Smart DRS is a flexible and scalable reusable cup return solution that can adapt to different event formats and visitor volumes.

FAQ

Related Resources

Automated Reusable Cup Returns at Scale: IIHF U18 Championship Case Study

Reusable Cup Return System at Senecké leto

Smart Return System for Reusable Cups

How to Return Reusable Cups at Scale

Smart Deposit Return Scheme: A Smarter Way Forward for Circular Packaging