Reusable coffee cups were once the future and then the present – but eco companies are now battling to stop them becoming something of the past.
Will Pearson, co-founder of Shoreditch-based Ocean Bottle – which makes drinks containers from recycled materials – has told the Standard it has been challenging to keep the momentum of the movement and stop the cups becoming a pre-covid relic.
Environmentally friendly mugs came fully into the public consciousness on the back of the BBC’s Blue Planet II in 2017, with the documentary showing the scale of the problem single-use plastics are causing for oceans and sea creatures.
A YouGov 2018 survey indicated that 36 per cent of UK adults owned a reusable coffee cup as chain cafés began offering extra loyalty card stamps or discounts to anyone with one. Waitrose went a step further by scrapping their disposable cups and only allowing those with a reusable to get a hot drink.
Read also: What will change as the single-use plastic ban for businesses comes into force?
By early 2020, research by Hubbub found that 25 per cent of respondents used a reusable cup for most of their coffee purchases.
But, with the coronavirus taking hold that year, many vendors were taking extreme measures to stop germs spreading. And, even before Britain went into lockdown, Starbucks had banned reusable cups – although they did still offer a 25p discount for bringing one in.
By May 2020, Caffè Nero, Costa and Pret a Manger had followed on despite the British Retail Consortium saying there was “minimal evidence of any risks from reusable cups”.
This was all now five years ago, but Mr Pearson has said there has been a challenge to rebuild the momentum of the movement as it has not lost any of its importance.
“I think it’s ebbed and flowed [in demand],” he said.
“Lately, we’re seeing it’s high up on the agenda. The movement is now beginning to grow and businesses are responding. But it’s not positive on the whole and covid played a role in a setback around reusables.
“For two years, coffee shops were refusing to serve drinks in those containers. It was a really challenging time and we lost 90 per cent of our revenue from when lockdown started.”
He said that greater environmental awareness “came off the back” of the pandemic, with a sense of “opportunity”. A recent survey that Ocean Bottle completed found that two-–thirds of respondents take a reusable water bottle with them when leaving the house.
But, when it comes to coffee specifically, a study found that only 18 per cent of adults in the UK used a reusable coffee cup regularly. There are still 2.5 billion single-use coffee cups being disposed of in the UK every year and only 0.25 per cent of those are recycled.
“A lot of people didn’t want to have someone else touching their cup,” Mr Pearson said. “But people have moved on from that now.
“While we are seeing the demand growing from consumers, we are seeing a mixed landscape in terms of the incentives for reusable cups.”
He added: “We would call on any coffee chains to incentivise. Sustainability is not an issue that is going away. It’s a responsibility and also an opportunity.”
Pret, Caffè Nero, Costa and Starbucks all offer incentives to customers (see below) but Mr Pearson has pointed to Boston Tea Party and Monmouth Coffee, which have gone further by stopping single-use cups.
An east London coffee shop barista, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I think it’s something we have seen less of an interest in… There is a lot going on in the world now and it’s more independent coffee shops that are pushing for it. Bigger places will only change if they feel forced into it.”
Mr Pearson has said that coffee shops need to do more to drive change but has also said there is a need for political action, too. The EU is proposing mandatory reusable cup systems by 2030 but it is unclear so far if the UK will follow suit. The department for the environment has been approached for comment.
“There is a long way to go before adopting it fully in the UK and we can only hope that legislation will reflect this growing pressure while more businesses do incentivise,” he said.
“We are encouraged, on the whole, but we need to see a lot more.”
What big chain coffee shops offer as an incentive for a reusable cup?
Pret: A 50p discount for customers who bring in their own reusable cup.
Caffè Nero: Any customer who brings any reusable cup receives an extra loyalty stamp with their drink. It means that a free coffee can be obtained after five visits with a reusable cup.
Costa: The same as Caffè Nero, although the scheme is only open to Costa Club Members.
Starbucks: Customers who bring in a reusable cup can benefit from a 25p discount. “Starbucks is committed to reducing paper cup waste,” said the company.
All four were asked by the reporter if they wanted to provide further comment.
In addition:
Boston Tea Party: In June 2018, this independent UK chain banned disposable cups across its 21 locations. Customers must bring their own reusable cups or purchase one in-store.
Monmouth Coffee: In March 2022, Monmouth Coffee introduced a cup-deposit initiative where customers pay a deposit for a reusable cup, which can be returned at participating cafés.
