Ethan Clarke
In 2020, Dunkin' transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups globally. This change was part of the company's sustainability initiatives, aiming to serve both people and the planet responsibly. The new paper cups are used for serving hot beverages, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Additionally, Dunkin' has introduced new designs for their hot cups and lids to address the infamous leaking problem. The company has also expanded its merchandise to include colorful cups, tumblers, and water bottles, which are available for purchase in select stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transition to paper cups | Dunkin' transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups in 2020 |
| Sustainability initiatives | The transition to paper cups is part of Dunkin's sustainability initiatives to reduce waste and improve recyclability |
| Hot beverage service | The paper cups are used to serve all hot beverages, including coffee, espresso drinks, tea, and hot chocolate |
| Lid design | Dunkin' introduced new recyclable hot coffee cup lids, addressing previous issues with leaking |
| Customer feedback | Some customers have expressed mixed reactions to the new cup and lid designs, citing issues with spilling and discomfort |
| Reusable options | Dunkin' offers official reusable cups and tumblers, but policies on using personal reusable cups vary across locations |
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What You'll Learn
Dunkin's transition to paper cups
In May 2020, Dunkin' announced that all of its restaurants worldwide had transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to paper cups, meeting the timetable the brand had established two years prior. This shift was part of the company's sustainability initiatives, aiming to serve both people and the planet responsibly.
The new cups are double-walled paper cups, made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standard. These cups are used to serve all hot beverages, including coffee, espresso drinks, tea, and hot chocolate in the U.S. The transition to paper cups, along with the move to recyclable hot coffee cup lids, is expected to remove a collective 19 million pounds of polystyrene from the waste stream annually.
The company also committed to doubling the number of DD Green Achievement™ restaurants within five years and ensuring that all Keurig K-Cup® pods sold in-store and in grocery stores would be recyclable by the end of 2020.
Despite these efforts, some customers have expressed concerns about the new cups' ability to keep drinks hot and the environmental impact of single-use paper cups. Additionally, there have been mixed reactions to the new cup and lid designs, with some customers reporting leaks and dissatisfaction with the lid design.
Dunkin' has also expanded its merchandise to include colorful cups, tumblers, cold cups, and water bottles, which are available for purchase in select stores.
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Plastic cups and microplastics
In May 2020, Dunkin' announced that 100% of its restaurants globally had transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups, meeting the timetable it had established two years prior. The company also committed to doubling its number of DD Green Achievement™ restaurants within five years and to fully transitioning to recyclable hot coffee cup lids in all of its US restaurants by the end of the summer of 2020.
While this move away from plastic cups is a positive step, plastic cups more broadly pose a significant problem in terms of microplastic release. Disposable cups are widely used as single-use containers and have been suspected of being a primary source of microplastics. Studies have found that microplastics may be released from the cup wall due to the composition and thermolability characteristics of plastic cups. The microplastic abundance and size distribution depend on the use time, material characteristics, production, and transportation process of the cups.
The release of microplastics from plastic cups is influenced by factors such as shaking, higher temperatures, and longer incubation times. Studies have found that the microplastic abundance in water reached 723-1489 particles per cup after 5 minutes of exposure, with the majority being smaller than 50 µm in size. The shaking applied during transport also promoted the release of microplastics.
The ingestion of microplastics from plastic cups can have potential health impacts. Studies have estimated that people may ingest 37,613-89,294 microplastics through the use of one plastic cup every 4-5 days, which equates to an annual ingestion of 18,720-73,840 microplastics. Microplastics have been found to enter the human bloodstream and can accumulate in the body, posing a health threat.
To reduce microplastic contamination, it is recommended to wash plastic cups before use. Reusable alternatives, such as metal bottles, are also a more environmentally friendly option.
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Reusable cups and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a steep decline in the use of reusable cups and containers. Many believed that the use of reusable cups could be unhygienic and a potential risk to the safety of staff and customers. This has been disheartening for sustainability advocates. However, there is no scientific evidence that disposable cups and containers are safer than reusables. In fact, 125 health and medical experts have signed a statement titled "Health Expert Statement Addressing Safety of Reusables and COVID-19" to formally agree that reusables are not more likely to spread the virus. They emphasise that the virus is spread predominantly through aerosolised droplets and that the risk of surface exposure is low.
During the pandemic, cafes and restaurants rejected cups and containers brought in by customers. Many assumed that this was mandated by the government, like masks and social distancing. However, this is not the case. Cafes, restaurants, and outlets are within their rights to reject reusables, as they cannot guarantee that customers have cleaned their cups between uses. This could pose a potential cross-contamination risk.
Some countries have put schemes in place to cover the topic of sterilisation and make reusable cups resilient in health and civil emergency situations. For example, in New Zealand, if a cafe rejects a customer's reusable cup, the customer can order their coffee to "have here", and drink the coffee out of the cafe's in-house ceramic mug. If the customer is symptomatic, they should not use a reusable takeaway cup and should stay at home.
Despite the pandemic, Dunkin' has continued to advance key sustainability initiatives. In May 2020, the company announced that 100% of its restaurants globally had transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups, meeting the timetable it had established two years prior. This transition will remove a collective 19 million pounds of polystyrene from the waste stream annually.
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Leaking cup and lid designs
In 2020, Dunkin' announced that it had transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups in 100% of its restaurants globally. This move was part of the company's sustainability initiatives, aiming to serve both people and the planet responsibly. The new paper cups are made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standard.
In addition to the switch to paper cups, Dunkin' also introduced new recyclable hot coffee cup lids made of #5 polypropylene. These lids are designed to address the infamous leaking problem that some customers had experienced with the previous cup and lid designs. The transition to the new lids was expected to be completed by the end of summer 2020 in all Dunkin' U.S. restaurants.
The leaking issue was a significant concern for customers, as many people transport their beverages in their cars, and even a slight bump or tilt could result in spills. The previous lid design had a small space for the bottom lip, causing coffee to slip past and creating an unpleasant experience for drinkers.
While the new cup and lid designs aimed to prevent leaks, some customers on Reddit continued to express their dissatisfaction with the changes. Some commented that the new lids still allowed coffee to spill, and others complained about the false bottom in the cups, which reduced the beverage volume by 1-2 ounces.
Despite the mixed reactions to the new designs, Dunkin' has continued to sell tumblers, cups, and other merchandise, including a retro-inspired tumbler, cold cup, and water bottle. These products are available in select stores and feature the brand's bold fuchsia and orange color palette.
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Paper straws and sustainability
In 2020, Dunkin' announced that all of its restaurants worldwide had transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups. This move was part of the company's sustainability initiatives, aiming to serve both people and the planet responsibly. The new paper cups are made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standard, ensuring responsible sourcing. This transition is expected to remove 19 million pounds of polystyrene from the waste stream annually.
While Dunkin' has made strides in cup sustainability, there is still room for improvement regarding straws. Currently, Dunkin' primarily uses single-use plastic straws, which has drawn criticism from environmentally conscious customers. Some patrons have called for the company to switch to paper straws, citing the negative impact of plastic waste on the planet. These concerns are valid, as plastic pollution contributes to environmental degradation and can harm marine life.
Paper straws offer a more sustainable alternative to their plastic counterparts. They are typically made from renewable resources, such as paper and plant-based plastics, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and non-biodegradable materials. Paper straws are also compostable and recyclable in certain areas, further reducing their environmental footprint. Additionally, paper straws can be just as functional as plastic straws, providing an adequate drinking experience for consumers.
However, it is important to note that paper straws are not without their own set of challenges. One common concern is their durability, as they may become soggy or break down more quickly than plastic straws, particularly in hot beverages. This has led to some consumer complaints about the functionality and practicality of paper straws. Nonetheless, advancements in technology and materials are helping to address these issues, with new designs emerging that offer improved durability and performance.
To promote sustainability, Dunkin' could consider transitioning to paper straws or offering alternative options, such as biodegradable or reusable straws. By providing eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic straws, Dunkin' can contribute to reducing plastic waste and showcasing its commitment to environmental responsibility. Additionally, encouraging the use of reusable cups or tumblers, either brought by customers or purchased from Dunkin itself, can further reduce waste and foster a more sustainable culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dunkin has transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups. This change was implemented in 2020.
The change was made as part of the company's sustainability initiatives. The transition to paper cups, along with recyclable hot coffee cup lids, removes 19 million pounds of polystyrene from the waste stream annually.
Yes, the new cups are made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Standard. The hot coffee cup lids are also recyclable and made of #5 polypropylene.
While Dunkin has sold official reusable cups, some customers have reported being told that, "for sanitary reasons," they cannot have their coffee made in a cup they brought themselves.
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