Starbucks has unveiled a new initiative to allow customers to use their own personal cups for all types of orders, including drive-through and mobile orders, as part of its commitment to reduce cup waste. The policy, effective from this Wednesday, is applicable at participating licensed stores in the United States and Canada.
The Seattle-based coffee giant, aiming to cut waste by 50 percent by 2030, emphasized the significance of this move in encouraging customers to opt for reusables, especially since a majority of Starbucks beverages are consumed on the go. Starbucks proudly declares itself the first national coffeehouse to extend the option of personal cups for mobile orders.
As an added incentive, customers who bring a clean, personal cup will receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage, along with 25 bonus stars for U.S. Starbucks rewards members.
Wondering how the process will unfold? For those ordering inside cafes, customers simply inform baristas that they have their own personal cup and hand it over. In drive-thrus, customers notify baristas during the ordering process, and the baristas will collect and fill the cup at the pickup window. For in-app orders, customers can press the “customization” button, select “personal cup,” and continue ordering as usual. Upon reaching the cafe, customers hand over their cup to baristas in the pick-up area.
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This initiative follows a successful personal cup test conducted at 200 drive-thru stores in Colorado last spring. Starbucks envisions a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup and encourages its customers to actively participate in the endeavor to give more than take, regardless of their ordering method. Michael Kobori, Starbucks’ Chief Sustainability Officer, expressed optimism about customers joining the company’s efforts to contribute to a more sustainable future.
