The Recycle Club is a long-running initiative focused on improving waste sorting and recycling behaviour at Tomorrowland and Dreamville.

Launched in 2015 at Dreamville, the project explores how practical infrastructure, clear communication and on-site activation can improve material separation in a temporary festival environment. The aim is to treat waste as a resource and reduce residual waste through better sorting and reuse.

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Origin and context

The Recycle Club started as a pilot project at Dreamville, Tomorrowland’s camping area in 2015. The initiative was developed following research into waste behaviour at festivals, conducted in collaboration with public authorities. These insights informed the design of a recycling system tailored to high-density, short-term events.

Operational approach

The Recycle Club is structured around four practical pillars:

Facilitate

Recycling infrastructure is designed to be accessible and intuitive, including waste bins, recycle points and recycle kits across the site.

Communicate

Clear sorting symbols, guidelines and signage support correct disposal of materials. Dedicated recycle teams provide on-site guidance, with a focus on camping materials.

Activate

Recycle Teams act as visible points of contact on the festival grounds, supporting visitors with sorting questions and encouraging responsible behaviour. At the Recycle Clubhouse, information about recycling and all other Love Tomorrow projects is shared.

Demonstrate

At the Recycle Clubhouse, many initiatives have taken place over the yearsThis started with selected furniture being produced by using 3D printing with granulates made from recycled PET bottles and plastics collected on-site. This demonstrates how sorted waste can be reintroduced into material cycles.

3D printed bracelets, also made from recycled PET bottles and plastic collected on site were introduced as rewards for brining in well-sorted waste bags.

Recycle Coins were introduced, these are awarded to all visitors who brought in well-sorted waste bags. These coins served as a currency in the Recycle Shop, where they could be exchanged for all sorts of goodies made out of recycled materials or items that promote re-use.

Another year, the Secret Disco was introduced as a fun way to reward all the sorting efforts that were made by The People of Tomorrow on DreamVille.

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Measured results

Since the introduction of the Recycle Club in 2015, the amount of correctly sorted PMD waste at Tomorrowland has increased by a factor of 35. This result reflects improvements in infrastructure, communication and on-site engagement at both the festival and campsite.

Ongoing development

The Recycle Club remains an operational project that continues to evolve. Insights gained on-site are used to refine waste systems and inform future editions, with a focus on continuous improvement rather than fixed end goals.