In a bid to reduce the usage of plastic, coffee chain Starbucks will introduce reusable cups at London’s Gatwick Airport. It will conduct this initiative in collaboration with environmental charity, Hubbub for a trial period of one month starting 10th June.
Starbucks will study how consumers react to reusable cups by means of this initiative at the second largest airport in the United Kingdom.
By means of this program, passengers will have the opportunity to borrow a free reusable cup instead of a paper cup. Subsequently, they will be able to drop off this cup at designated drop off points. The cups will then be washed and sterilized and returned to Starbucks.
Around 2,000 cups are expected to be in circulation at the South Terminal of the airport for a month.
Starbucks estimates that even if a mere 250 customers use these reusable cups, it could save around 7,000 cups in a month. It will further track the acceptance and response of the passengers towards this move by analysing the number of returned cups.
In July last year, Starbucks had added a charge of 5 pence for the use of disposable cups across the United Kingdom. The proceeds from this move went to Hubbub to carry out projects and research to mitigate the threat to the environment.
This initiative is expected to lessen the wastage and contribute towards a better and more sustainable environment.
What do you think of this move? Isn’t it an inspiring one to bring about a positive change to the environment? However, will passengers welcome this initiative? Let us know your thoughts!
