Starbucks to trial 5p cup charge in stores

Coffee shop giant Starbucks has launched a three-month trial scheme aimed at reducing the environmental impact of their products and joins a growing number of businesses looking to address their environmental sustainability.

Instantly nicknamed the ‘latte levy’, Starbucks stores will introduce a 5p charge on takeaway cups, beginning with an initial trial in London across 35 stores.

The company hopes that the new charges will encourage customers to bring their own reusable cups and therefore reduce the amount of single-use plastic cups that can end up littering streets or in landfill. They have also confirmed that the proceeds of the trial scheme will go to Hubbub, an environmental and behaviour change charity.

“We’re hoping that this charge will remind customers to rethink their use of single-use plastic lined cups, as it has with plastic bags,” explained Simon Redfern, vice president of communications at Starbucks.

The recycling programme follows on from other large coffee companies such as Costa Coffee who have also taken steps to reduce coffee cup litter. Costa launched a scheme in October 2016 which introduced 45 cup collection points across the UK in stores which would be taken to specialist recycling plants to allow them to be reused.

Coffee lovers can also enjoy discounts in Starbucks stores for bringing in their own cup. Bringing your own reusable cup to enjoy your coffee will net you a 25p discount in Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Paul, a slightly reduced 20p discount in Greggs and an impressive 50p in Pret A Manger stores.

Here at LSPS, we take recycling seriously. For more information or to find out how we can help both businesses and individuals with their waste disposal efforts, please visit our website or call us on freephone 0800 083 7807.