STARBUCKS is to launch a returnable cup scheme in select UK stores before rolling the programme out across Europe.
It will see customers offered the option of their drink in a reusable cup at the cost of a £1 deposit, which will be refunded once the cup is returned – with the cups then being cleaned and sanitised before further reuse.
The coffeehouse said the move will look to break down existing barriers preventing greater reusable uptake by ‘building reusables into people’s daily lives’. It added that a UK study showed 36% of people don’t use a reusable cup every time they buy a hot drink because they simply forget their cup.
The trial will first begin in the firm’s Canary Wharf store, with the end goal being to have a reusable solution in all its 4,000+ European, Middle Eastern and African stores by 2025.
Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “As part of Starbucks commitment to promote reusability and reduce waste to become resource positive, we’re excited to begin implementing the first EMEA trials of Starbucks returnable cup program in EMEA.
“Our returnable cup program allows customers to opt for a reusable in the same way they would a single use cup, breaking down barriers preventing greater reusable uptake and putting convenience front and centre to enable customers to easily transition away from single use and make reusability the only option, long-term.”
