WHY THE UPCHARGE FOR TAKEAWAY CUPS?

NOTE: THE UPCHARGE IS FOR DISPOSABLE CUPS. YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED IF YOU BRING A CUP TO TAKE YOUR DRINK WITH YOU.

Mostly to raise awareness of the cost of single-use items, both in terms of money and sustainability. Single-use items are not free, especially to small businesses. They also have a cost to everyone - waste and emissions. Millions of single-use cups, lids and straws are produced, shipped across the globe, used and discarded every day. Without getting into the nitty gritty of inefficient production models and questionable labor practices, this daily occurrence produces tons of carbon emissions and landfill waste. This is something that we as consumers have been trained to not consider or take for granted. But us being unaware of the problem does not make it go away.

Our hope and belief (based on research and other cafe’s practices) is that a charge for single-use items helps shift consumer behavior. When people are made aware of a cost that they were made unaware of, they are more likely to make changes in their life to adjust. In this case, bringing a reusable cup, using a cup swap system (such as Huskee Cups) or taking a moment to enjoy their drink in-house. We know that it isn’t a perfect solution, but we can’t let perfect get in the way of good when it comes to getting the world to the better place we hope for it to be. We must take the steps we can, whoever we are, and hold those above us to a higher standard.