On Sunday, 1 June, Občanská plovárna in Prague transformed into a place full of games, laughter, and summer atmosphere – while also becoming the site of a quiet yet significant milestone in the Czech circular economy. During the International Children’s Day celebrations, organised under the auspices of Prague 1 Municipal District, the first fully automated reusable cup return system in the Czech Republic was deployed.
Sustainability and responsible event management have long been a priority for Občanská plovárna. Reusable cups have been part of the venue’s operations for almost two years. This year’s Children’s Day marked the next step: visitors were able to return cups through a Smart DRS self-service machine, which refunded the deposit instantly and directly to their payment card – without an app, registration, or scanning. The entire process is automated and powered by AI-based cup recognition technology.
“Sustainability has long been an integral part of how Občanská plovárna operates, which is why we were delighted to become the first venue in the Czech Republic where visitors could experience automated cup deposit refunds directly to a payment card. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive – people particularly appreciated the simplicity and speed of the process. This technology has shown us that environmentally responsible solutions can also be highly convenient for visitors, and we look forward to using it at future events organised at Občanská plovárna,”
said Eva Beránková, Commercial and Marketing Director of Občanská plovárna
The event attracted hundreds of families with children. The cup return machine was available throughout the programme, which also featured demonstrations by the Prague Municipal Police, the River Police Unit, and the Prague 1 Volunteer Fire Brigade, as well as boat rides on the Vltava River.
With this deployment, Občanská plovárna has joined the ranks of pioneers in sustainable event management in the Czech Republic and has become an inspiration for other organisers looking for ways to combine visitor convenience with environmental responsibility.
About Občanská plovárna
Občanská plovárna is an iconic venue located on the banks of the Vltava River in the heart of Prague. It is the oldest preserved riverside bathing facility in the city. The neoclassical building, designed by architect Josef Ondřej Kranner and completed in 1840, has been a protected cultural monument since 1958.
Following a sensitive renovation completed in 2019, the venue now serves as a unique event space overlooking the Vltava River and Prague skyline, with a capacity of up to 1,500 guests.
The premises are ideal for corporate events, conferences, team-building activities, family celebrations, and weddings, including ceremonies held on the terrace or directly on the pier overlooking the river. The venue regularly hosts Sunday brunches, concerts, and seasonal celebrations. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy refreshments at the Molo Bar by the water and even embark on boat trips directly from the venue.
Občanská plovárna places a long-term emphasis on sustainable and responsible event management.