The coffee giant is joining the fight on waste.
Or so it would seem.
Starbucks is trialling a 5p takeaway cup charge in 35 of its London branches, giving birth to what many have called a “latte levy.”
To us, at Kwik Sweep, this is an interesting initiative – or one that, at least in theory, matches our commitment to waste prevention and recycling.
Starbucks is the first UK coffee chain to introduce this “levy,” as it plans to reduce the overuse and waste of over 2.5bn disposable coffee cups every year.
In the three-month trial, coffee-lovers buying hot drinks in takeaway cups in the City and West End will have to chip-in an extra 5 pence, and will also be encouraged to ditch single-use cups in favour of ceramic ones.
Though this may sound like an unwelcome move, it is all but unpopular.
Starbucks’ research has revealed that almost half of its customers – around 48 per cent – “would definitely carry” a reusable cup to avoid the 5p charge.
The trial is being carried out with the support of the environmental charity Hubbub, which will receive the proceeds of the “latte levy” and use it to fund and conduct further research on waste prevention.
Starbucks’ move has come at the right time. In fact, a solution to cup-waste is desperately needed, now more than ever.
Disposable cups cannot be recycled by normal systems, as they are made from both cardboard and polyethylene liner, which is difficult to remove. In consequence, just one in 400 cups are usually recycled, or 0.25 per cent of all cups.
Half a million coffee cups are dropped and “wasted” as litter every day in the UK.
We, at Kwik Sweep, hope that Starbucks will keep its effort up. If we are to find a solution to the “waste plague,” we have to act together.
In the meantime, Kwik Sweep offers London’s best, fastest, and most convenient waste collection, removal, and recycling service.
So, if waste concerns you, and you need to get rid of your junk, get in touch with us.
We are here to help.
