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California city now charges for single use cups

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SueDonim Sat 28-Dec-19 14:32:47

Oh, I forgot to say, when I was in Starbucks in the US earlier this year, not only did they only have disposable cups, but they now also give you a small plastic ‘plug’ to insert into the sipping hole in the lid so nothing spills out. Talk about unnecessary waste. angry

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SueDonim Sat 28-Dec-19 14:30:28

Interesting! I read that it’s more effective to charge, say, 50p for a disposable cup than offer a discount of 50p for bringing your own cup. Psychologically, people rail against having to pay extra, whereas they’ll just shrug their shoulders at the possibly of a discount.

Tthe Vessel returnable cups scheme sounds an excellent idea. I think a problem with reusables when you’re out and about is what do you do with them once you’ve finished your drink? They’re a bit messy, so do you use some napkins to wipe them out? Or wash them in the loo and dry them under a hand drier? And you need a fair-sized bag to carry one.

Personally, I much prefer to sit down for coffee anyway, so really, it’s only an issue for me when we’re travelling and stopping at service stations.

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PamelaJ1 Sat 28-Dec-19 14:16:44

Who knows if it will make a big difference but it’s one more nail in the coffin perhaps?

Like you CanadianGran I don’t usually drink ‘on the go’ but I do have a travel cup that I took with me when I was travelling on the train. I thought I was totally wonderful for remembering it, clever, clever me.
I passed it over to the woman in the station cafe who used a polystyrene cup to fill it.
I like to think she re-used the polystyrene cup?

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CanadianGran Sat 28-Dec-19 14:06:08

www.cbc.ca/news/world/berkeley-businesses-single-use-to-go-coffee-cups-fee-1.5395807

Above is a link to an article telling of the City of Berkeley now starting a 25cent charge for single use take away cups to discourage the use of single use plastics.

There is a company starting up with reusable cups that people can purchase with a deposit, and drop off at receptacles for cleaning and return.

Honestly, I wish we could go back to the days when sitting with a coffee or tea at a restaurant was the thing to do. Or actually making coffee at work and having a chat with others if the coffee room.

These days many coffee shops don't even offer ceramic mugs, the old 'to stay or go?' has become a thing of the past, and every cup is poured in a paper cup with a plastic top. In Canada we have a Tim Horton's in every town, and you have to ask for a ceramic mug and are lucky if they have any. (Sorry, they are all being washed! is the usual reply)

Do you thing Berkely can change a culture by charging extra? Or do you think this will now become a money-grab for most coffee/tea shops? Currently the cost for the cup is built into the price of the coffee, as was the washing of said cup if used in the shop.

I personally rarely purchase 'to-go' drinks in single use cups. We have a coffee machine at work; I use a ceramic mug. On car trips of any length we have thermos mugs. I see my young co-workers arrive with disposable cups in the morning, and most go out at lunch and come back with another. It just seems such a waste to me, but I don't know if charging extra will change their habits.

Perhaps a picture of frowning Greta at the coffee shop tills with make a difference. And I don't mean any disrespect by that comment - I think she has done more to raise awareness than any.

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