Let's Talk about Cups.

On a Scottish July sunny day my husband and I realised, with excitement, that our favourite restaurant was open. I’ll admit I was surprised when our entire meal was served in disposable packaging. Concern for customer safety needs to remain paramount, but sadly the wooden cutlery proved no match for our food. And is this approach any safer considering the waiter still had to clear our used packaging from the table?

The jury is out on whether coronavirus will undo some of the great progress made to date on reducing single use packaging. How can we help with the complex choice coffee shops face now when it comes to cups? Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the decision on coffee cups was rarely crystal clear from an environmental perspective. There might not be a right or wrong answer, but there are options.

Porcelain Cups

Reusable porcelain cups remain the clear frontrunner from a sustainability perspective. They offer a superior sensory experience as they arguably taste and feel better than paper, plastic or bamboo alternatives. Ultimately hot drinks look more appealing in porcelain cups and remain hot for longer. Two things to consider:

• Keep them in use for as long as possible - Take care of them; choose a robust design, easy to grab and lift; and of a style that endures. A long lifespan will impact positively when considering carbon emissions.

• Use an energy efficient dish washer – This will ensure a reduced cup footprint as well as energy bills.

Though reusables may be widely perceived as higher risk now, a group of scientists has reassured the public that reusable containers are safe . Epidemiologists, virologists, biologists, chemists and medical doctors, advise that if basic hygiene is followed during washing, these cups are a safe choice.

What might put operators off from using porcelain cups now is fear of handling dirty cups. Regular handwashing should by now be routine and segregating staff by those who handle clean cups from dirty cups can offer a neat solution. But what porcelain doesn’t offer is a good solution for take away.

Re-usable Cups

With increasing consumer awareness about the environmental impact of disposable coffee cups, many have invested in their own reusable cup. The same safety principles apply to reusables but maybe the fear is a little higher. Operators can take practical steps to reintroduce reusable cups safely (check out the “5 steps” detailed in our Coffee Extract article in July). Food safety concerns are paramount so it is important to insist that only clean, dry cups will be accepted.

Hospitality outlets can encourage consumers to use reusable cups and reduce their reliance on disposables by selling them, giving customers a discount or reward them with loyalty card points/ offers. One of the more innovative ideas out there is a “swap and go” system, which works well in particular locations like University campuses or offices. Consumers either pay a small deposit or pay a subscription fee to use the service, and they “borrow” a reusable cup when they buy a coffee. When they’re finished, they return their cup or swap it for a new cup at a participating location. This scheme has the added benefit of the cups being stored and sanitised in house. Trust in the cleaning practices and the operators of the scheme is essential.