Tomorrowland ordered to repay €450,000 after regulators concluded that the world-famous festival breached Flemish environmental law by continuing to use single-use cups.
The decision follows a lengthy review by regional authorities and delivers a clear message to large-scale events operating under Europe’s tightening sustainability rules.
Why Tomorrowland Faced Sanctions
Flemish legislation has banned single-use cups at events since June 2023. Despite the regulation, Tomorrowland opted to use its remaining stock of disposable cups rather than fully switching to reusable alternatives.
Festival organisers appealed the sanctions earlier this year, arguing that an exemption should have been granted. They claimed the transition posed logistical challenges and questioned whether the ban delivered measurable environmental benefits.
Regulators were unconvinced.
Authorities Reject Festival’s Arguments
The Enforcement College confirmed that Tomorrowland was fully aware of the ban. Officials noted that the Flemish environment minister had explicitly refused the festival’s exemption request before the event took place.
According to the ruling, continuing to use disposable cups after that decision amounted to a deliberate violation of environmental regulations.
The €27,500 administrative fine imposed earlier this year was upheld in full, with authorities calling it proportionate given the scale of the event and the seriousness of the offence.
Repayment Reduced but Still Substantial
While the original estimate suggested Tomorrowland could be forced to repay nearly €700,000, regulators revised that figure after reviewing how the amount was calculated.
The repayment is designed to remove any financial advantage gained by ignoring environmental rules. Authorities ultimately decided the festival only needs to return the costs it saved by not implementing reusable cups.
That adjustment brings the final repayment to approximately €451,000.
What This Means for Future Editions
Organisers have since confirmed that Tomorrowland will fully adopt reusable cups going forward. The move brings future editions of the festival into line with Flemish waste reduction and sustainability standards.
The case is being closely watched across Europe’s live events sector, where environmental compliance is becoming a non-negotiable part of large-scale festival planning.
For regulators, the ruling reinforces a clear principle: sustainability rules apply equally, regardless of a festival’s global status.