Mar. 16, 2022 -- Starbucks is trying to discourage customers from using disposable cups in an effort to reduce waste.

The company says it will introduce programs to encourage people to use their own personal, reusable cups and not use the disposable paper and plastic cups that bear the company logo, Starbucks said in a statement.

"Our cup is ubiquitous, and we love that," Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, told CNN. "But it is also this ubiquitous symbol of a throwaway society."

Starbucks says it’s starting pilot programs with personal Starbucks cups in six markets around the world. By the end of 2023, customers will be able to use their personal cups at every Starbucks in the U.S. and Canada, including for drive-thru and mobile orders, Starbucks said.

Currently, reusable cups can’t be used for drive-thru purchases or those made through the Starbucks app.

“We’re doing so many tests to understand how that is most convenient for our customers and won’t slow the drive-thru line down for the person behind you and is also operationally friendly for our partners,” Amelia Landers, the company vice president of product innovation, told CNBC.

Other financial incentives being considered include a 50-cent discount for a reusable cup and a 10-cent extra charge for a disposable cup, CNBC said.

The company had already been offering small discounts for customers who bought drinks with their personal Starbucks cups or mugs. That program was discontinued during the pandemic but was brought back in 2021.

Another way to encourage customers to not use disposable cups was tried last year in a pilot program in Seattle, CNN said. Customers paid a $1 deposit on a non-disposable cup and returned it to a smart bin to get their money back. Cups were collected and cleaned by a third-party company.

Washing stations for customers with their own cups will be tried out in cafes in O’ahu, Hawaii, and on the Arizona State University’s campus, CBNC said.

Starbucks hopes to reduce waste by 50% by 2030. Disposable cups and lids make up 40% of the company’s packaging waste, CNBC reported.

Starbucks. “Starbucks affirms commitment to a planet positive future through innovation and learnings from store partners”

CNN. “Starbucks is planning to phase out its iconic cups”

CNBC. “Starbucks unveils new plans to eliminate single-use cups, encourage reusable mugs”

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