NEW PRODUCT / SOLUTION
Reusable cups
APPLICATION SECTOR
Packaging reuse
VALORIZED OUTPUT
Packaging and coffee capsules
TRL
Deploy
CONTEXT
Global
SDG
VALUE CHAIN AREA
Switching to reusable coffee cups instead of disposable ones—typically made of paper lined with plastic—can significantly reduce waste and environmental pollution. Each year, over 250 billion disposable coffee cups are produced globally, contributing to landfill overflow and pollution. Choosing reusable alternatives helps mitigate this impact while fostering sustainable habits.
While the advantages of reusable cups are evident, certain considerations must be addressed. For example, Biodegradable Food Contact Materials (FCMs) can pose risks, such as gluten migration from biodegradable packaging into food, potentially contaminating gluten-free products. Although EU regulations cover material migration in food contact items, there are no mandatory labeling requirements for allergens in FCMs.
Although purchasing a reusable cup requires an initial investment, long-term cost savings emerge as reliance on disposable cups decreases. Beyond financial benefits, reusable cups help conserve resources and reduce dependence on single-use plastics. The choice of material plays a crucial role in determining the durability, performance, and overall sustainability of a reusable cup. Depending on specific needs and preferences, consumers can consider the following options:
- Plastic: Should prioritize durability, heat resistance, and clear communication on recyclability and lifecycle benefits.
- Stainless Steel: A robust and long-lasting option, though sourcing and cost considerations should be evaluated.
- Glass (Borosilicate): Provides an elegant aesthetic while offering improved durability and recyclability over traditional glass.
- Ceramic: Requires testing to assess breakage risks and determine its suitability for various environments.
Source:
- European Public Health Alliance. (2023). Biodegradable food contact materials: What is at stake for coeliacs? [Opinion]. Retrieved from https://epha.org/biodegradable-food-contact-materials-what-is-a-stake-for-coeliacs/
- NextGen Consortium (2021). Bringing reusable packaging systems to life: Lessons learned from testing reusable cups. Retrieved from https://www.closedlooppartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CLP_Bringing-Reusable-Packaging-Systems-to-Life.pdf
- Patricia Megale Coelho, Blanca Corona, Roland ten Klooster, Ernst Worrell, Sustainability of reusable packaging–Current situation and trends, Resources, Conservation & Recycling; Volume 6, 2020, 100037, ISSN 2590-289.
DESCRIPTION
IMPACTS
While reusable cups reduce waste, they still have an environmental footprint associated with production, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. Additionally, they are not indestructible—over time, wear, stains, or damage can impact hygiene and usability.
To maximize sustainability, ongoing innovation in materials, consumer education on proper care, and efficient reuse systems are essential. By addressing these factors, reusable coffee cups can serve as a practical and eco-friendly solution to reducing single-use waste.
CHALLENGES AND LIMITS
EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION
A retail company specializing in reusable cups with diverse designs tailored to different functional needs, aiming to make reuse more practical and appealing.
Recup is a German company that offers sustainable solutions for the restaurant industry, with a system of reusable containers for drinks and takeaway food (RECUP and REBOWL). Consumers pay a deposit for the containers and return them to designated collection points. This system reduces the use of single-use plastic, promoting sustainability. The containers are fully recyclable and BPA-free.
A reusable food packaging system offering cups and bowls with multiple return points, making it convenient for consumers to adopt sustainable practices.
The NextGen Consortium is a global consortium that aims to address the world’s single-use food packaging waste by advancing the design, commercialization, and recovery of packaging alternatives. In 2019 and 2020 NextGen Consortium launched a series of reusable cup pilots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and worked with three companies of the sector
McDonald's partnered with Loop to test a reusable coffee cup system in six restaurants across the UK. Customers can rent a reusable cup for a £1 deposit and, upon returning it, receive a 20p discount on their next purchase.
Burger King UK, in partnership with Loop, provides reusable food and drink packaging for quick-service restaurants, where consumers pay a £1 deposit that is refunded when items are returned, helping reduce single-use packaging waste.
Starbucks partnered with TURN Systems to pilot a “Borrow a Cup” program in 12 California stores, using smart bins to track cup returns. Customers could borrow, return, and reuse cups while earning $0.10 off purchases and 25 Bonus Stars, supporting Starbucks’ shift toward reusable packaging.
Faircup it’s a service provider for take away food, providing a deposit for reusable cups and bowls. Their product range includes various designs, and they also offer services for events and coffee bars.
A service for catering and food delivery that manages reusable packaging. It offers four key services: tap (tracking), smart (technology-enabled), return (collection), and personalization.
Smart application connecting users to smart trackable cups and food containers each fitted with a unique QR code. This innovative scheme gives businesses a cost-effective and easy way to reduce their use of disposable cups and containers and supports customers to make more sustainable choices.
The company runs projects such as HuskeeSwap, a cup exchange system in cafés to reduce single-use waste, and HuskeeLoop, a program to recycle worn cups into new products, creating a circular model now active in more than 50 countries.
Reusable cup made from single-use paper cups collected through the Simply Cups program. The products are designed to last up to 10 years, offsetting its footprint after nine uses. The cups are 100% recyclable.
A returnable cup ecosystem to replace the 100 billion single-use cups and lids used every year. CLUBZERO, based in the United Kingdom, introduces a reusable cup subscription service, in which reusable cups can be dropped off at any participating store. Cup Club combines a set of proven technological solutions (RFID tagging, mobile interface, Internet of Things) to track individual cups and reward their users for being in the system.
TrioCup from the United States offers a disposable paper cup made with an origami-like technique that removes the need for a plastic lid. The team has chosen a 100% compostable material and is working on an alternative that is also 100% recyclable.
As part of the WaysTUP! project (Horizon 2020), AIMPLAS has developed a biobased plastic film from used coffee grounds. The initiative converts coffee waste into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a family of naturally produced biodegradable polyesters. The resulting film can be used for flexible packaging, supporting the valorization of urban biowaste and promoting a circular economy.
The $0.25 Program charges an additional fee of $0.25 for every disposable drink cup sold by participating cafés and restaurants. This program aims to encourage a change in customer behavior toward more responsible consumption of single-use products. The money raised is donated to La vague, where it is used to develop sustainability initiatives for participating businesses.
The Petaluma Reusable Cup Project is an initiative led by the NextGen Consortium and the City of Petaluma, with participation from major brands like Starbucks, McDonald's, and The Coca-Cola Company. Over a three-month period in 2024, 30 restaurants in Petaluma offered reusable to-go cups, supported by 60 local return bins. This project aimed to reduce single-use cup waste and demonstrated significant environmental benefits by achieving the environmental break-even point with the return of reusable cups. The initiative was supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the environmental advisory partner.