More than 1000 single-use cups 'saved' across the Highlands through reusable cups scheme
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A new scheme aiming to tackle the use of single-use cups in the Highlands has reached a milestone after launching in April.
The Cup Movement® initiative introduced by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful will run until the end of October this year and just passed te 1000 cups mark.
It was launched in response to the impact single-use cups are having on Scotland’s environment which sees 200 million single-use cups used and discarded in Scotland every year, only 4 per cent of which are recycled.
Catherine Gee, deputy CEO at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re delighted to have passed the 1000 cups mark, a fantastic milestone that shows a borrowing scheme like this can work across a large rural area.
“Single-use cups are a huge contributor to both Scotland’s litter and climate emergencies and it’s vital that we continue to trial these new and innovative schemes to try to find solutions to tackle these issues. The response to this pilot, from both the businesses involved and the customers who have participated, has been fantastic and gives us a clear indication that there is a desire for change, and what can and does work.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved, from customers and businesses to funders and supporters. We will continue to trial innovative schemes such as this to make it easier for people to do the right thing and enjoy guilt free takeaway drinks.”
According to a survey conducted by Keep Scotland Beautiful, 81 per cent of people in the Highlands thought takeaway venues needed to do more to make it easier for people to buy and use reusable cups.
Funded through the Bring It Back Fund, a £1.4 million fund from Hubbub and Starbucks to support innovation in reuse, Cup Movement in the Highlands uses innovative app technology from cup system suppliers Vytal to allow people to borrow, use and return a cup rather than take a single use one for their hot drinks.
A report will be published highlighting the results of the initiative and key learnings for the future.
Keep Scotland Beautiful will also be holding a webinar in early 2024 for all relevant stakeholders.
