Starbucks Is Trialing New Cups And It Hopes You Won’t Tell The Difference
Image via Summer Photographer / Shutterstock.com
Starbucks is working on a new greener cup, and it’s sure you won’t be able to “see any noticeable difference.”
According to a report by CNN Business, the coffee chain began distributing revamped recyclable and compostable drinkware in test outlets across New York, San Francisco, Seattle, London and Vancouver.
The difference is barely noticeable—it’s still a paper cup, and is supposed to look and feel like a regular Starbucks cup. What sets it apart is that it is coated with a compostable liner instead of plastic. With the change, the cup can be composted by industrial composters.
While Starbucks’ plastic-lined cups are recyclable, many facilities do not remove the plastic linings from the paper drinkware, possibly clogging up machinery in turn.
However, with the new compostable linings, recycling facilities will still have to separate them from the paper cups. Starbucks is thus only working with partners from participating cities who are able to do so for this test.
At present, cost-effective solutions that are up-to-par with plastic-lined paper cups—which are lightweight, stackable, and prevent leaks—are difficult to find. The chain is still exploring options.
Aside from compostable linings, Starbucks also experimented with a reusable cup system where customers of the location at London’s Gatwick airport could return empty drinkware at ‘Cup Check-In’ points. Additionally, Starbucks has been offering discounts Sto patrons who would bring in their own drinkware to store their beverages, but the activity is being paused over coronavirus concerns.
[via CNN Business, cover image via Summer Photographer / Shutterstock.com]
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