Starbucks : bring your own cup to reduce single-use packaging

Starbucks has taken a significant step towards sustainability with its new initiative: consumers can now bring their own clean personal cup for a contactless pour at all stores across the U.S. and Canada. This reusable packaging program is available for use in retail stores, drive-throughs, and when ordering ahead via the Starbucks mobile app.

Supporting Sustainability Goals Through Reusable Cups

This milestone delivers on Starbucks’ 2022 goal to make reusables easier to adopt while reducing cup waste sent to landfills. The new policy allows customers to order their favorite beverages using any personal cup—hot or cold—as long as it is clean and meets hygiene standards. This initiative aligns with Starbucks' broader goal to cut its waste by 50% by 2030.

According to Starbucks' Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori:

"At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup. Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit marks tangible progress toward that vision."

Incentives to Encourage Consumer Adoption

Starbucks is incentivizing the use of personal cups to encourage widespread participation:

• $0.10 discount on beverages for consumers bringing a clean personal cup.

• 25 Bonus Stars for U.S.-based Starbucks Rewards members.

These rewards make the reusable cup option both environmentally beneficial and financially appealing.

How the Program Works

The process to use a personal cup has been designed with simplicity and hygiene in mind. Here’s how it works:

In-Store Ordering

Inform the barista that you brought your clean cup. The barista will prepare the beverage using standardized tools for measurements and pour it into your cup.

Drive-Through Ordering

Order your drink and let the barista know you brought a personal cup. At the pickup window, hand your clean cup (without its lid) to the barista using a contactless handoff system. The prepared beverage will be returned the same way—clean, safe, and ready to enjoy.

Mobile App Orders

Use the Starbucks app to select the “Personal Cup” option under “Customization.” Hand your clean cup to the barista when picking up your beverage in-store.

Starbucks has streamlined the process to ensure hygiene and efficiency without slowing down service. Baristas use custom equipment to measure and pour beverages to guarantee consistent quality.

Benefits of the Personal Cup Program

The benefits of Starbucks' reusable cup program extend to both customers and the planet:

• Environmental Impact: Reducing single-use cups helps limit the waste that ends up in landfills.

• Convenience: Customers can now enjoy their beverages in their own favorite mugs without any restrictions.

• Savings: Financial incentives like discounts and rewards make sustainable habits more accessible and rewarding.

By introducing the option for reusable cups across all ordering channels, including mobile ordering, Starbucks has become a pioneer in the coffeehouse industry. Consumers are no longer limited to ordering in-store; they can enjoy sustainability benefits even through drive-through lanes and digital platforms.

Overcoming Potential Challenges

While the initiative has clear benefits, there are a few considerations to note:

• Cleanliness Requirements: Only clean personal cups will be accepted for safety reasons. Starbucks baristas are not allowed to rinse or clean mugs on-site.

• Behavioral Change: Adopting a reusable cup habit requires consumers to remember their mugs and keep them clean. Starbucks will rely on employee advocacy to educate customers on this process and drive behavior change.

Initial testing in 200 Starbucks locations in Colorado demonstrated high adoption rates and enthusiasm among customers. Employees reported that the program did not delay service times and significantly boosted customer satisfaction.

Leading the Cultural Shift Towards Reusable Packaging

Starbucks’ leadership in reducing single-use packaging marks a broader industry movement. The company has already conducted over 20 reusable packaging tests worldwide and plans more pilots in the future. By collaborating with organizations like the NextGen Consortium, Starbucks continues to spearhead efforts to minimize packaging waste globally.

Kate Daly, Managing Director of the Center for Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, emphasized Starbucks’ leadership role:

"As we know, the most sustainable cup is the one you already own. Starbucks is a leader in this work as the first national retailer to offer personal cup ordering in every channel, including mobile orders."

Moving Forward: A Zero-Waste Future

This program represents an important milestone in Starbucks' ongoing sustainability journey. With its strong focus on reusable packaging and consumer incentives, the company is helping to drive a cultural shift towards waste-free habits.

Consumers play a crucial role in achieving this goal. By bringing a clean personal cup to Starbucks, every customer contributes to reducing waste and supporting the company’s vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Starbucks’ reusable cup program combines convenience, sustainability, and savings—proving that small changes can make a big impact.