Starbucks reports a 150% increase in reusable cup use since 5p charge

Starbucks stores in the UK have been trialling a 5p charge on the use of paper cups for the past six weeks.

The preliminary results show that reusable cup usage has surged by 156 per cent across the 35 participating stores. This is measured by the number of customers who redeem the 25p discount on using their own cup.

The most significant change, according to the coffee company, is that 8.4 per cent of customers in the mornings are now using a reusable cup or tumbler. The cafes taking part in the three-month trial are all located within London, across central and western parts of the city.

The latest news follows last month’s announcement from the company that it will invest $10 million to create a ‘truly’ sustainable cup across its entire global operations.

At the same time, it has launched a separate scheme across 54 stores in London and Manchester to trial alternatives to plastic straws. The new trial, starting in May, will test two types of straw: a paper one and a ‘biodegradable’ type of plastic.   

Starbucks has, in fact, offered customers a discount on reusable cups since 1998. The money from the 5p charge is being donated to an environmental charity, called Hubbub, which will also help provide an evaluation report about the impact and behavioural change as a result of the trial.

Jason Dunlop, chief operating officer, Starbucks EMEA said: “We are encouraged by the initial results of our trial that show that by charging 5p and increasing communication on this issue, we can help to reduce paper cup use. Now those same customers can also help us to test innovative plastic straw alternatives, to further reduce our impact on the environment. We look forward to sharing the full report on this cup charge trial, in collaboration with Hubbub, with the wider industry as we work together to find sustainable solutions.”