The challenge: from rPP to food safety

When a polypropylene (PP) cup has been used, washed, and reused many times and is no longer suitable for further use, Dutch Cups can grind it and process it into recycled polypropylene (rPP), a valuable raw material. However, rPP is not yet legally allowed for food contact, unlike materials such as R-PET. This poses a barrier to circular innovation.

Dutch Cups aims to change this by developing a certified recycling process that demonstrates rPP can be safe, provided the material remains in a closed loop and the process is fully traceable. To prove this closed loop, Dutch Cups will first focus on reusable cups at closed events such as festivals, sports events, and concert venues. They expect it will be demonstrable that no harmful substances remain in the rPP. This represents an important step toward a more sustainable plastic industry.

Kansen voor West III Flevoland

For this project, Dutch Cups received a grant through the Kansen voor West III Flevoland program. This EFRO scheme supports innovative projects that contribute to a sustainable and competitive region. Dutch Cups’ project aligns perfectly with the program’s objectives: promoting a circular economy, reducing CO₂ emissions, and stimulating technological innovation.

By showing that tens of thousands of cups can be successfully collected, recycled, and reused in the chain, Dutch Cups contributes to a future with less virgin plastic and a significantly lower environmental impact.

Ugoo and Dutch Cups

Ugoo guided Dutch Cups intensively throughout the subsidy process. From drafting the application to the technical review and presentation to the expert committee, Ugoo was involved at every step. Thanks to this close collaboration, Dutch Cups received confirmation on the same day of the expert committee meeting that they had earned sufficient points for approval.

This case demonstrates how innovation, regulation, and collaboration come together, and how Ugoo helps entrepreneurs realize their sustainable ambitions while successfully navigating complex subsidy processes.