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Starbucks continues to make progress with its reusable cup tests, including letting customers bring in their own cups for a discount, borrow cups in a variety of ways, and even wash their cups inside shops.
“Choosing reusables is a new habit for many customers,” Starbucks said in a statement. “Starbucks’ behavioral science-based research shows ease and convenience are foundational.”
In the latest test running from Aug. 14 through Oct. 22, customers at 12 Starbucks stores in Northern California can:
- Bring their own personal cup in café or drive-thru
- Be offered a Borrow A Cup from Starbucks
- Choose For Here Ware, a reusable ceramic or glass cup for customers who opt to sit and stay in café
Customers bringing in their “clean personal cup” receive 10 cents off their purchase plus 25 Bonus Stars for Starbucks Rewards members. Customers return borrowed cups to bins operated by TURN Systems that collect cups and track return behavior.
A 100% reusables test has also been ongoing since May at participating Arizona State University campus stores. Every customer who brings in their own cup or reuses a Borrow A Cup from a previous visit receives a $1 discount on their beverage order. Customers can also return their Borrow A Cup to special return bins around campus.
The participating campus locations also allow customers to wash their personal or borrowed cups at special mini-washing machines “right at the counter in the time it takes to complete their order.”
Finally, addressing the fact that the majority of orders are to-go, Starbucks successfully tested a program enabling customers to bring their own personal cups in the drive-thru in select Colorado stores for the 10 cents off/25 Bonus Stars benefit. Starting in 2024, customers will be able to bring their personal cups to any Starbucks location in North America, whether walk-in, drive-up, or mobile.
Other coffee shops similarly offer discounts for customers who bring their own reusable cups, as well as other swap schemes. Paper cups supporting hot drinks require plastic linings to prevent leakage, and that makes them hard to recycle.
Starbucks said the program supports its goal to cut its waste footprint in half by 2030, with single-use cups accounting for 20% of the chain’s global waste.