ELAINE O’Farrell, who with husband Declan, has looked after racecourse signage at most tracks for 20 years with their company Race Displays, has another string to her bow.

She founded EcoFriendly Cups, which was recently shortlisted for the Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards.

“We didn’t win but were delighted to make the final. I saw the cups first in France. It’s normal in Europe to have reusable cups at events and in Ireland we are catching up fast.

“The cups started off as a marketing idea with branding printed on them but then became more about sustainability with the Irish Government introducing a ban on single use plastics in 2019.

“I would like to mention Morgan McCabe in HRI, the catering contracts manager, he has been great help to me.

“We provide the cups used for the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials campaign, and can do race meetings, charity events, matches, concerts anywhere where drinks are on sale.

“Our service is a complete package with design, event logistics and cup collection. We hope to do the manufacturing in the near future as well which is currently outsourced.

“The idea is that people pay a deposit for the cup with their drink which is redeemed when they bring it back.”

Plenty of people take the cups home as a souvenir “like people keep the match programme” and they can withstand 250-300 washes in a dishwasher.

Disposable

“The cups are very sturdy as well so it’s easier for people to carry a few at a time going from the bar or up and down a stand. They don’t bend like the disposable ones where you would be worried you might get some drink spilt down your neck!”

The company has a purpose built wash and dry facility at Ballycoolin, Dublin which can clean 3,000 pint sized cups per hour.

After successfully supplying cups at race meetings, Elaine met up with representatives of drinks companies who wanted to ensure that their product tasted the same as usual served in the EcoFriendly Cups and was given contracts at GAA matches and the Six Nations rugby tournament.

“We estimate that our cups result in a 70% reduction of waste at events. The cleaners are delighted, they only have to deal with hot dog and burger wrapers.”

Everyone is happy and the multi-use cups can but help to to keep Ireland litter-free. That will be a great day.

Contact Elaine on 086 3841439 for your event.