Starbucks brings back reusable cups as the pandemic slows down

Starbucks said on Tuesday, June 8, that it will be bringing back the reusable cups in its stores. The coffee chain stated that customers could opt for the reusable cups again in any of its cafes after the program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As restaurants and hospitality businesses in the U.S. are slowly returning to normal operations,

companies are also working to get back to how they used to be before the pandemic. The American government already eased the restrictions and lockdowns are not in place in most cities today, so businesses are getting back on their feet again.

Starbucks’ reusable cups program

Starbucks is one of those companies that are starting to get back to normal as they can. For starters, it does not require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks when in the stores. Other firms in the U.S. are also implementing this and they have also started to open fitting rooms again and food courts where food samples are also offered.

In any case, CNBC reported that Starbucks will now be able to fill customers’ personal cups again when they buy their favorite drinks. To ensure safety, the baristas will fully check if the cups are clean before filling them with beverages.

It was added that the drink will be made while the baristas will not have any contact with the cup. This is done with the cup placed inside a ceramic vessel and the customer will pick up their order at the claim area.

If there are dirty cups, Starbucks’ baristas will not be accepting them for filling. It was mentioned that the reusable cups are only accepted in the store and not in drive-thru lanes. However, this drive-thru service may be available soon as the setup is already being tested.

The aim for the use of reusable cups

As posted on the Starbucks website, the company wants to contribute to making the environment clean and green. Thus, it is devising ways to help as it operates its business.

“We are working to shrink our environmental footprint and meet the expectations of our customers by reducing the waste associated with our cups, increasing recycling and promoting reusable cups,” Starbucks stated. “Our approach is to not only provide customers with cup choices for their beverages but to also collaborate with others to create locally relevant improvements in the recycling infrastructures of communities where we operate.