Chicago, IL – Starbucks has re-launched its reusable cup policy in Chicago and beyond, starting last week. The move, aligning with environmental trends, revives a pre-pandemic practice. Customers using personal cups will receive a 10-cent discount and 25 additional reward stars, in line with the company’s waste reduction goals.
Previously, less than two percent of Starbucks customers used their own mugs. The coffee chain’s broader sustainability efforts aim to reduce its 4 billion annual single-use cups. The policy reintroduction coincides with the rising popularity of the Stanley “Quencher” cup, a symbol of eco-conscious consumerism, particularly among younger demographics.
In a notable success, Starbucks Korea reported 26.7 million uses of reusable cups in the first 11 months of 2023, a 7% increase from 2022 and a 53% rise from 2020, showing a shift towards sustainable practices. The reintroduction of the policy is a response to environmental concerns and evolving customer preferences. Starbucks is optimistic about increasing participation in the program, following trends in university settings where personal cup use is around 12-13%.
