Starbucks Returnable Cup Pilot

WHAT WE SAY:

When a global giant like Starbucks, with its 31,000 stores, introduces a returnable cup scheme it should be cause for celebration.

However, this current pilot bears signs of Starbucks trying to ‘have it all’ – promoting a programme which causes minimum disruption to employees while integrating seamlessly with customers’ existing experience. All of which raises questions about whether a systems change without any fundamental change to a system can lead us to a waste-free future. Starbucks gets through 8,000 cups a minute, so action is required, but we’d like to see the company implement more robust returnable schemes such as those by Club Zerø. With the trial now running for several months, watch this space to see what Starbucks’ next move will be.