Starbucks Introduces a Reusable, Returnable Cup in a City-Wide Test

Starbucks has introduced a reusable, returnable cup, which will help the company continue its environmental promise of giving more than it takes.

The company is participating in a city-wide returnable cup test in partnership with NextGen Consortium. The program was launched to engineer solutions for trash issues from the company’s hot and cold to-go cups.

According to a Starbucks press release, beginning in August in Petaluma, California, Starbucks will lead a “collaborative reuse project” where reusable cups will be the default option for drinks made to go, compared to most tests like this that require customers to opt in.

Along with Starbucks, other well-known brands are also participating in the initiative, including Dunkin’, Peet’s Coffee, Burger King, and Yum! Brands, along with local restaurants, cafes, and city groups. For three months, they will all use returnable cups, which over 60 city-wide return bins will support. The cups will then be professionally cleaned, sanitized, and recirculated for use again.  

The test cups will be purple. Starbucks’ cups will be white in the front and purple in the back to differentiate them from other all-white to-go cups. All test cups are made from BPA-free polypropylene. 

This new initiative is another step in the company’s plan to continue marketing reusable items to help reduce worldwide waste. Producing these cups will reduce the company’s climate, water, and waste footprint. The goal is to ensure that all Starbucks’ packaging is “reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030,” Amelia Launders, VP of product experience innovation at Starbucks, told The Cool Down.

“Last year, Starbucks conducted a similar test in the same area, but we tested on our own,” Helen Kao, director of reusables at Starbucks, said in the company’s press release. “This year, we expanded on that through our partnership with NextGen Consortium to drive systems change. What if we saturated a community, and reusables became the cultural norm? Now it’s an ecosystem of global brands, local businesses, city leaders and community groups working together. The industry is realizing that it’s easier to partner than do things alone.” 

The initial test runs through Oct. 28, 2024. However, some return bins will remain around the city to allow customers to return their cups after the project ends.