GLASGOW Caledonian University (GCU) is trialling a ‘cup library’ in a bid to reduce the number of single-use cups used on its campus.
Launched in partnership with circular leasing service Yoyo Cups and caterers BaxterStorey, it will allow staff and students to obtain a Yoyo Cup with a £4 deposit. The cup will be exchanged for a clean one with each purchase of a hot drink, with the deposit returned once the cup is no longer needed.
GCU said that it is the first ‘large-scale’ trial of Yoyo Cups in the country, with it hoped that the scheme will be adopted across Scotland. It added that the cups are carbon neutral after just nine uses and are ‘extremely’ durable and recyclable.
Professor Andrea Nelson, pro vice-chancellor research, helped launch the cup library last week. She said, “We all know we should reduce, re-use and recycle – but recycling single-use cups is the last thing we should be trying to do. So, I am delighted to be here to help launch a reusable cup scheme on campus.
“The university’s commitment to the sustainable development goals means sustainability is at the heart of our campus and these reusable cups are a great symbol of what we, with the students’ association, want to do.”
Professor Nelson was joined by GCU students and staff as well as Yoyo Cups’ co-founders Marian Brown and Mary Michel, and representatives of BaxterStorey.
Mary said, “Single use cups have to go – the waste, the pollution and the increasing financial cost makes them unsustainable in every way. Having an organisation the size of GCU on board for a large-scale pilot project underlines what a game changer this could be.”
Paulo Cruz, GCU’s sustainability officer, added, “The GCU Yoyo Cup Library supports our commitment to zero waste. At GCU single-use cups account for around 5% of our general waste, all of which is processed into a refuse-derived fuel. Yoyo Cups are zero waste by design and will help us reduce this difficult-to-recycle waste stream at source.”
