How has the pandemic affected progress on sustainability issues?

It's difficult to say. There is an ever-growing number of people in the world now for whom subsistence is their central occupation. For those of us fortunate to have more than we need, its more an existential crisis – who am I without my hobbies, travel - we can become more guided by values, or yield to fear and fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy and consumption.

A surge in plastic waste has been reported as an outcome of the pandemic, worsened by concern about the acceptance of reusables and the exploitation of these concerns by the plastic industry. In line with these setbacks, ‘convenience culture’ has crept back into everyday life, but the fight against the climate and plastic pollution crises is more important than ever.

Dealing with Covid-19 is the central pre-occupation of most governments as the health and safety of its citizens ought to be. Many people grok the connection between dwindling wild places and factory farming that have a causal relationship to coronaviruses. The #metoo movement, Black Lives Matter, the devastating impact of the casualisation of the workforce make us vulnerable, but surely show us that our fates are intertwined. There is an opportunity to solve all problems at once, but it means some very brave and honest decisions need to be made by the world’s largest corporations and governments. There is a lot of noise, but delay is denial.

What impact has COVID-19 had at KeepCup?

Like many businesses, 2020 has presented us with a vast array of challenges. Most importantly, we have learnt that the climate crisis is far more urgent and catastrophic than we imagined, that we can’t separate the health of people and planet and that we don’t have the luxury of focusing on one crisis at a time.

We have doubled down on our efforts and mission for a world that no longer needs, wants or uses single-use cups. We have highlighted the innovative ways our café customers have adapted the contactless pour and shared evidence – including a signed statement published by over 110 scientists to reassure the public that reusables are safe, provided basic hygiene is adhered to – clean hands, clean KeepCup.

Who, in your opinion, will be the winners and losers coming out of COVID-19?

The impacts of COVID-19 have been particularly tough on the café and hospitality industry, having said that we have seen innovation in the flip to grocery, takeaway setups and contactless pour.

It seems obvious that the businesses that are super nimble or have deep pockets will survive, but longer-term it will be those that consider the role and relevance of the cafe in society that will be the real winners. Historically the role of the cafe as a place where people came to share ideas and build community, this has been commoditised in the last 40 years. It seems certain that working life has changed forever, what is the role and function of the café, how do people want to augment the meals and beverages they consume at home?