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In a major step towards reducing single-use packaging waste, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Starbucks are joining forces for a unique pilot program. The initiative, called the Petaluma Reusable Cup Project, will see over 30 restaurants in Petaluma, California, switch to reusable cups as the default option for takeaway beverages.
The trial, which runs from August to October 2024, aims to replace hundreds of thousands of single-use cups with a reusable alternative. Customers will be provided with free, purple-colored cups for their cold drinks. These cups can be returned to any participating restaurant or deposited in designated collection bins around the city. For added convenience, the program even offers a home pick-up option for used cups.
Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said: “We’ve made real strides in our goal of improving the lives of many farmers through dedicated programming aiming to support economic prosperity, cut emissions, and increased our use of recycled plastic.”
Pepsico is one of the largest producers of plastic packaging in the world, they have over 300 drink options available at this time. It’s been theorized that only 9% of plastic waste has been recycled across the board.
What are the reusable cups made of?
BPA-free plastic. There are two kinds, one for cold drinks and one for hot drinks. Polypropylene cups – the material used for yoghurt pots and lunchboxes – “will be used for hot drinks and some cold drinks. And then High density polyethylene which which will be used for both hot and cold drinks at some locations in the city.
Marion Gross, Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America at McDonald’s said: “McDonald’s is committed to using our scale for good. We are excited to join Starbucks and Closed Loop to help solve this pressing challenge, as collaboration is key to finding a scalable, lasting global solution.”
This initiative marks a big shift from the traditional reliance on disposable cups. It’s particularly noteworthy because it involves collaboration between major competitors in the beverage and fast-food industries. Starbucks, a company that already offers reusable cups for purchase, is participating with a slightly different design specifically for the program.
To make the test more convenient, purple return bins will be placed around the city for easy return of the cups.
The Petaluma Reusable Cup Project is a promising step towards a more sustainable future. By making reusable cups the default option and offering convenient return methods, the program hopes to encourage widespread adoption and significantly reduce waste. The success of this trial could pave the way for a larger-scale implementation of reusable packaging across the food and beverage industry…nationwide.
