Berry Global’s range of reusable plastic cups has been selected for the Borrow Cup collaborative returnable cup initiative which was launched in Glasgow, UK, at the end of January.
Developed by environmental charity Hubbub and Glasgow-based reusable packaging systems provider Reposit, Borrow Cup allows consumers to borrow a returnable cup from any participating location, involving over 40 businesses including local cafés and major brands such as Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero and Burger King UK.
Customers pay a £1 deposit for their Borrow Cup, which they can return to any outlet in the project to be refilled, swapped for a new one or handed in so that they can receive their deposit back. Cups can also be dropped off at special return points where customers receive a digital coupon. Used cups are collected by Reposit, washed at its facility, and returned to stores.
Berry says its reusable cups, manufactured in polypropylene (PP) and available in standardized 8, 12 and 16oz sizes with a universal lid for all three, were selected for the Borrow Cup project thanks to their durability, easy-clean design and dishwasher-safe construction. The company adds that the cups can be recycled at end of life where appropriate recycling facilities exist.
According to the project organisers, plastic was chosen due to a lower environmental impact compared to other materials, with current carbon modelling predicting that Borrow Cup will have a lower environmental impact than disposable cups after three uses.
The Berry cups are said to feature heat-insulating ribs that ensure comfort and stability for both hot and cold drinks. The accompanying PP universal sip lid is ‘leak-proof with a liquid-tight fit’, aiming to ensure secure transportation, and can be used with or without a straw.
The Berry cups also incorporate RFID chips which enable cup usage to be tracked and QR codes which provide consumers with information on the scheme. Berry states the data from the RFID chips will help to measure uptake, returns, and environmental impact to determine how Borrow Cup can become environmentally and financially viable.
Aiming to reduce the reported 388.7 million single-use cups used in Scotland each year, the project was launched in January, with most participating locations rewarding customers with a discount or extra loyalty rewards. Several local cafes including Tinderbox, Sprigg, Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow City Chambers are part of the initiative.
Last month The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, PepsiCo and others served reusable takeaway cups as the default in a Closed Loop Partners trial and apparently achieved a 51% return rate, suggesting environmental benefits for mandatory reuse. Reportedly, over 220,000 cups were returned across the twelve-week programme, with ‘minimal’ contamination found in the return bins.
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