Starbucks Trials Reusable Cup Program – with Refundable Deposit, Loyalty Points

Starbucks Corp. is testing a program that lets customers earn loyalty points for purchasing a reusable cup and returning it to a special kiosk.

The coffee giant has launched a limited trial of “Borrow A Cup,” a program which provides customers the option to order their beverage in a reusable cup and return it at the store’s contactless kiosk or at-home through a Seattle-area service called Ridwell. The pilot will run in five Starbucks stores in Seattle untilMay 31, 2021. According to Starbucks, a reusable cup replaces up to 30 disposable cups.

“Promoting reusability is an important part of Starbucks goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2030,” said Michael Kobori, chief sustainability officer, Starbucks. “We understand the interdependency of human and planetary health, and we believe it is our responsibility to reduce single use cup waste.”