At Relay For Life Wexford, caring for our community has always extended beyond the people who attend our event. For many years, our committee has embraced a simple principle: leave no trace.
From the moment the last tent comes down to the final bag of litter being collected, we’ve worked hard to ensure our event leaves a positive impact on the people who attend and the place that hosts us.
As Relay continues to grow, however, so does the challenge of reducing waste at a large-scale community event. Thousands of people will pass through O’Driscoll Park over our 24-hour Relay weekend, and with that comes an increased responsibility to think differently about sustainability.
Over the past two years, one initiative has shown just how powerful small changes can be. Our Re-turn collections have been an incredible success, with teams and supporters embracing the opportunity to recycle bottles and cans while raising additional funds for the Irish Cancer Society. What started as a simple idea quickly became a visible example of our community working together to make a difference.
Building on that success, we’re delighted to announce that Relay For Life Wexford 2026 will partner with Wexford County Council to introduce the Circular Cup System to Relay.
The initiative, which is already being used successfully at community events across the Southern Region, replaces disposable cups with reusable alternatives that can be returned, washed, and used again. It’s a simple concept with a significant impact, helping to reduce single-use waste while making events more sustainable.
For Relay participants, the experience will remain just as enjoyable; you’ll still be able to grab a tea, coffee, or cold drink while supporting the event, but with far fewer cups ending up in bins throughout the weekend.
How can teams and participants support the Circular Cup system?
- Purchase your drink as normal from any of our on-site vendors.
- Receive your drink in a reusable Circular Cup.
- Enjoy your drink while taking part in Relay activities.
- When finished, return your cup to one of the designated collection points around our site.
- The cups will then be collected, professionally washed, and reused throughout the event and at future events.
By taking these simple steps, every participant can help reduce waste and support Relay’s sustainability goals. ♻️
This is just one of several steps we’re taking as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. We know that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight, but by working alongside our teams, volunteers, vendors, supporters, and partners, we can continue to make Relay For Life Wexford a cleaner, greener event for everyone.
At its heart, Relay has always been about community. Whether we’re fundraising for cancer services, supporting survivors, remembering loved ones, or caring for the environment around us, we’re strongest when we work together.
We would like to thank Wexford County Council for their support and partnership in bringing this initiative to Relay For Life Wexford 2026.
Together, we’re proving that small changes can make a big difference.💚♻️💚
