In the UK, it is estimated that consumers use between 2.5 to 5 billion disposable paper cups per year, with few of those reported as being recycled. With 76% of people who purchase hot beverages to go relying on single-use equivalents, the research reveals that more work needs to be done in order to shift consumers away from their reliance on disposable hot beverage cups.

There is a huge opportunity for takeaway hot drinks outlets to adopt simple practices to reduce the significant single-use waste produced. In the US, for example, many cafés and coffee shops offer reusable cups for sale, a discount to customers that use one, or have a cost-effective returnable cup program. Furthermore, many outlets offer seasonal reusable cups to entice consumers to buy and use them, particularly in the fourth-quarter (e.g., Starbucks signature red reusable annual holiday cup) and Earth Day (bright green cups are ubiquitous).

In 2023, to help reduce single-use waste and alter attitudes towards disposable items, more than a dozen cafés in Stirling, Scotland offer customers the option of reusable cup for to-go drinks in return for a £1 deposit. The deposit could be reclaimed at any café participating in the Ditching Disposables Stirling scheme. (Click here for the full story.)

The flexibility of returnable and reusables allow outlets to establish a concept that best suits its operations. By purchasing a given number of returnable cups, organisations can either collect a small deposit from customers, which is then refunded on return of the cup, or implement a borrow charge if the cup is not returned within a set period. According to the survey, some programs are even simpler, by trusting customers to return the cups and ensure a circular economy of reusables within the outlet.

“This survey clearly shows the opportunity on offer to forward-thinking catering outlets as they look to reduce their reliance on single-use packaging,” said Dan Dicker, CEO and founder at Circular&Co. “There’s a clear appetite for more returnable cup schemes and reusables among those buying takeaway hot drinks regularly, which gives businesses the opportunity to make significant commercial and environmental savings, all while improving their appeal to the growing number of environmentally conscious customers.”

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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The brand’s best-selling rCUP product is also relaunching as the reusable Circular Cup – made in the UK and designed for 10 years use, 100% leakproof and specifically for on-the-go consumers, the cup was awarded the Which? Best Buy in 2018 and ranked sixth in Which? Top Ten Products of 2019.

Established in 2003, by founder and former-Dyson design specialist Dan Dicker, Circular&Co is renowned for its multi-award-winning eco products made from redundant materials. Sales have reportedly grown 64% year-on-year, with more than £2.8 million products sold online and across major multiples and independent coffee shops throughout the UK in 2019 (across 36 territories worldwide).

Coinciding with its rebrand, Circular&Co is also announcing its investment in UK production, following continued support from Starbucks that has allowed the business to scale up; setting up regionalised waste collection, processing and re-manufacture in Cornwall. Spearheaded by Dan Dicker alongside a team of circular experts and external industry leaders – including The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy – the locality of production in Cornwall is essential to the regionalised circular model: keep finite resources in use closer to home to save resources, energy, emissions and prevent polluting waste. The move has also created high-skill manufacturing jobs in the South West region.

Commenting on the company’s relaunch, Dan Dicker commented: “There is no silver bullet solution to the current environmental crisis – but we’re taking positive action and we know it’s a journey. For organisations, businesses and individuals, it’s a global movement to breakdown our throwaway culture; nothing has a single purpose and everything has a value. We believe people can start to play an important role right now by following a few simple rules next time they shop. We think of it as a ‘buy circular’ checklist: Choose Recycled, Challenge Longevity, Check Recyclable… Choose, challenge, check.

“From today, every time we shop – whether it’s for a pen or a pushchair – we need to ask ourselves the questions: Is it made from used materials? Is it made to last? Is it made to be recycled? If it isn’t matching up to the circular checklist then let’s keep browsing. Collectively, we have that power.

“Our mission is to pool our 17 years’ experience with brilliant minds cross-industry to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Our company’s true legacy is the journey of our products from beginning to end, not just when they leave our factory – it’s our responsibility to take ownership. This much we know: The linear model doesn’t work – The Future is Circular.”

Haley Drage, vice president of corporate affairs at Starbucks EMEA, said: “Starbucks has a longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility and has for decades embedded sustainability as a priority across all aspects of our business. We are proud to support Circular&Co and the shift towards a circular economy, as part of our multi-decade aspirations to be a resource positive company.”

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