Cardiff Food Wales

Cardiff coffee lovers can now get a reusable cup for free and save money on a brew

September 4, 2024

Cardiff Introduces Free Reusable Cup Scheme for Coffee Lovers

Cardiff coffee enthusiasts now have the opportunity to receive a free reusable cup and save money on their favorite brews. The innovative Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme will be launched in various coffee shops across the city in the upcoming month. Statistics show that in the UK alone, a staggering 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups, equivalent to 30,000 tonnes, are used and discarded annually. Every two minutes, 10,000 cups are utilized, with a distressing 99% of them not being recycled.

To combat this issue, FOR Cardiff has collaborated with environmental charity City to Sea to implement the scheme, allowing Cardiff residents to borrow a reusable coffee cup, return it, and receive discounts at select coffee establishments. This pioneering project marks the first of its kind in Wales, commencing in the capital city.

The scheme is set to commence on Friday, October 4, with the initial phase slated to run until March 2025. Several highly-rated coffee shops and cafes in Cardiff have already pledged their participation, including Waterloo Tea in Wyndham Arcade, Pettigrew Bakeries, Da Coffee, and Bird & Blend Tea. Participating venues will provide users of the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme with a minimum discount of 15p on their coffee orders.

Participating Cafes:

  • Waterloo Tea in Wyndham Arcade
  • Pettigrew Bakeries (locations in Castle Arcade, Bute Park, and Roath)
  • Da Coffee (locations at Tramshed Tech and One Central Square)
  • Bird & Blend Tea

The process of the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme is straightforward:

  1. Cafes and coffee shops in Cardiff will enroll in the program and be provided with reusable cups.
  2. Customers must download the Refill app and register their card details to use the Cardiff Refill Return Cups.
  3. Baristas will scan a QR code on the cup using the app, temporarily assigning ownership to the customer.
  4. The app will remind customers when and where to return the cup within two weeks, free of charge.
  5. Upon return, the cup will be scanned by the retailer, washed, and made available for reuse.

FOR Cardiff has secured £90,000 in funding from the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund to launch this initiative. Carolyn Brownell, executive director at FOR Cardiff, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Our 2021-26 FOR Cardiff business plan outlines our commitment to supporting businesses and enhancing the sustainability of our city center. We are confident that Cardiff residents will embrace the scheme, preventing the use of up to 30,000 single-use cups.”

Cardiff continues to lead the way in sustainable practices, with the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme offering a practical solution for eco-conscious coffee drinkers.