Maya Ellison
Starbucks has been working to reduce its plastic waste, aiming to reduce its overall waste by 50% by 2030. The company has implemented several initiatives to encourage the use of reusable cups, such as its Borrow-A-Cup program, which allows customers to borrow reusable cups from the store and return them. Starbucks also allows customers to bring their own clean cups, whether it's a reusable tumbler, thermos, or travel mug, for every visit to company-owned and licensed stores in the US and Canada, including drive-thru and mobile orders. The company has also redesigned its cold plastic cups to be made with up to 20% less plastic and has invested in improving recycling infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse of plastic cups | Customers can bring their own cups to Starbucks |
| Starbucks has a reusable cup program | |
| Customers can use their own cups for mobile and drive-thru orders | |
| Starbucks aims to reduce its waste by 50% by 2030 | |
| Starbucks redesigned its cold plastic cups to contain 10-20% less plastic | |
| Starbucks is testing models for 100% reusable cups in over 25 markets | |
| Starbucks is testing Borrow-A-Cup initiatives in certain stores |
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What You'll Learn
Starbucks' reusable cup program
Starbucks has been working towards sustainability and waste reduction by encouraging the use of reusable cups. In February 2025, Starbucks became the first national coffeehouse in the US and Canada to offer customers the option to use their personal cups for mobile orders and in-store purchases, including drive-thru. This initiative is part of Starbucks' commitment to reduce waste by 50% by 2030 and shift towards reusables instead of single-use plastics.
The company has conducted over 20 reusable cup tests worldwide, with more planned. In 2024, Starbucks led a city-wide collaborative reuse project in Petaluma, California, where eight Starbucks stores offered reusable cups for hot and cold beverages. Customers could return their cups at designated drop-off bins, and the cups were professionally cleaned and sanitised for recirculation. This project aimed to make reusable cups the default option and encourage customers to adopt more sustainable habits.
In alignment with their sustainability goals, Starbucks has redesigned their cold cups to contain 10-20% less plastic and introduced compostable straws and recyclable lid stickers. They have also invested $10 million in Circular Services to improve US recycling infrastructure.
To use a personal cup at Starbucks, customers can inform the barista during their order and hand over their clean cup without the lid. For drive-thru orders, baristas will collect and return the beverage using a contactless vessel to ensure hygiene. When ordering via the Starbucks app, customers can select "Personal Cup" in the customisation menu.
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Using your own cup
Starbucks has a reusable cup program that allows customers to use their own cups when ordering in-store, through the drive-thru, or on the Starbucks app. This program is part of Starbucks' goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2030.
When ordering in-store, customers can tell the barista that they brought their own cup and hand it over to them. If customers choose to stay in the cafe, they can also request a reusable ceramic or glass cup at most stores. For drive-thru orders, customers should inform the barista that they have their own cup when placing their order. At the pickup window, baristas will collect the customer's cup without the lid to ensure hygiene and safety. When ordering via the Starbucks app, customers can hit the "Customization" button and select "Personal Cup" in the customization menu before continuing with their order as normal. When they arrive at the store, they can then hand over their clean cup without the lid to the barista.
Starbucks also offers a 10-cent discount for customers who bring their own cups. This may not seem like much, but it can add up over time and make a customer's coffee habit more sustainable.
Starbucks has tested various borrow-a-cup models worldwide, including in Petaluma, California, where they piloted a program that made their returnable cup the default option for to-go drinks across the city.
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In-store recycling
Starbucks has been working towards reducing the environmental impact of its disposable cups. In 2006, the company launched the industry’s first hot beverage paper cup with 10% post-consumer recycled fibre. In 2008, Starbucks introduced a new plastic cup with less environmental impact than its original plastic cups. In 2009, the company hosted a Cup Summit in Seattle to discuss a comprehensive recyclable cup solution. Starbucks has also redesigned its straws to be made with compostable material or paper, and its coffeehouses are moving away from lid stoppers in favour of recyclable lid stickers.
Starbucks has also been encouraging its customers to bring their own reusable cups. In 2024, the company became the first national coffeehouse in the U.S. and Canada to offer customers the option to use their personal cups for mobile orders and in-store purchases, including drive-thru. Starbucks offers a 10-cent discount in the U.S. and Canada to encourage customers to use their own reusable mugs or tumblers for their beverages. Customers can also request to have their drinks served in a ceramic mug when staying in the store.
Starbucks has also been testing reusable cups in some markets. In Petaluma, California, the company piloted a program that made returnable cups the default option for to-go drinks. In 2023, Starbucks announced that it would be trialling cup washing stations for personal cups in Arizona State University campus stores and in cafes in O’ahu, Hawaii.
Starbucks has set a goal to reduce waste sent to landfill from stores and direct operations and is working towards increasing the recycled content of its hot cups. The company has committed to investing $5 million to innovate a more sustainable hot cup and improve the recovery of foodservice packaging. Starbucks has also launched a new Starbucks Partner Waste and Recycling App to help partners navigate store recycling guidelines and improve recycling infrastructure.
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Borrow-a-cup models
Starbucks has been testing its "Borrow A Cup" program in more than 25 markets, including stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and its Seattle headquarters. The Borrow A Cup program is built on a reusable packaging platform using an in-store bin that scans and accepts empty cups returned by a consumer, washes them, and returns them to circulation.
The Borrow A Cup pilot program won't be the only option for consumers at these Starbucks locations during the pilot. Consumers can also bring their own personal cup into the cafe or through the drive-through for a refill. To encourage customers to bring in their own, clean personal cups, they will receive a standard $0.10 discount with an additional 25 Bonus Stars for Starbucks Rewards members.
At the ASU test, customers receive a $1 discount on their orders for bringing their own cup or for using a borrowed one, which are handed out for free. Across the US, the tests are using a range of models from a $0.10 single-use fee to a $0.50 deposit that is returned when the cup comes back. In places such as Taiwan, the fees are steeper at about $1.60 per cup for a refundable deposit.
Starbucks has also been testing a 100% reusables operating model at stores at Arizona State University (ASU), encouraging customers to bring their own cup and emphasizing Starbucks-provided for-here-ware as the default sit-and-stay experience.
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Reusable cups at home
Starbucks has been working towards sustainability and reducing waste by encouraging the use of reusable cups. The company has introduced a program that allows customers to bring their own clean cups, whether it's a reusable tumbler, thermos, or travel mug, for their drinks. This program is available in the US and Canada, including drive-thru and mobile orders.
You can also reuse your Starbucks plastic cups at home in several ways. Here are some ideas:
- Storage: You can use your Starbucks plastic cups as storage containers for small items such as pens, pencils, crayons, paintbrushes, or even small plants. You can decorate the cups to make them more aesthetically pleasing and personalize them to match your style.
- Organizing: The cups can be used to organize your desk, vanity, or bathroom counter. You can use them to hold items such as paper clips, rubber bands, hair ties, cotton balls, or Q-tips.
- Arts and Crafts: Get creative and use the cups for arts and crafts projects. For example, you can cut the cups into different shapes and use them for collages, or you can paint and decorate them to make unique flower pots or pencil holders.
- Snack Containers: If you're packing a snack for on-the-go or for your kids' lunches, you can reuse your Starbucks plastic cups as snack containers. They are the perfect size for holding a serving of crackers, pretzels, nuts, or dried fruit.
- Drinking Cups: While it is recommended to use reusable cups to reduce waste, you can reuse your Starbucks plastic cups as drinking cups at home for a short period. Make sure to wash them thoroughly before each use and avoid using them for hot beverages as they may not be suitable for high temperatures.
Remember, while reusing your Starbucks plastic cups at home can be a creative and practical solution, the best way to reduce waste is to switch to reusable alternatives whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Starbucks has been running a reusable cup program since 1985, which was paused in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The program was resumed in June 2021 with some changes to make it contact-free. Customers can bring in their own clean cup, and baristas will use that to serve their drink.
When ordering in-store, inform the barista that you have brought your own cup and hand it over to them. If you are using the Starbucks app, first hit the “Customization” button and then select “Personal Cup” in the customization menu. When you arrive at the store, connect with your barista at the pickup area and hand over your clean cup without the lid.
Yes, you can. When ordering, inform the barista that you have brought your own cup. At the pickup window, the barista will collect your cup without the lid.
