The trend of reusable coffee cups returned to coffee shops is among the major ones in the cafe industry. A growing number of coffee shops are looking for ways to make their business more eco-friendly and sustainable. From using plant-based milk alternatives to purchasing bulk coffee cups that are biodegradable or reusable, there are many initiatives that are aimed at reducing the ecological footprint. Furthermore, in addition to making your business more sustainable, coffee shop reusable cups can also reduce costs and be used as part of a cafe’s marketing strategy. In this post, we’ll discuss how to use reusable coffee cups returned to your coffee shop. We’ll also shed some light on other sustainable practices that cafes can integrate. If you’re interested in these topics, you’ll probably like to know more about how to increase cafe sales or the different seasonal coffee drinks and how seasonality affects cafes.
Key takeaway: Although single-use cups are still the most popular option in cafes, a growing number of coffee shops have switched to biodegradable options or other sustainable alternatives. Reusable cup programs are the best way to reduce a cafe’s ecological footprint.
Creating a Coffee Shop Reusable Cup Program
Although introducing a reusable cup system to a cafe is not an easy task, it can lead to various benefits. It shows that the business is truly committed to reducing its ecological footprint. It can also improve brand loyalty and reduce costs for purchases of bulk paper cups.
Types of Coffee Shop Reusable Cup Systems
- Brand-owned programs. Selling branded reusable cups is popular among many coffee chains. This program gives control to cafes on how to brand their cups and what types of wholesale reusable coffee cups to purchase. This reusable cup system is often combined with a loyalty program like discounts for customers that bring back their cups.
- Customer-owned cup programs. A lot of people choose to bring their own cups to coffee shops instead of purchasing their espresso drink in a single-use disposable cup. As with brand-owned systems, in order to incentivize clients to bring their own cups, coffee shops offer discounts or incentives.
- Third-party systems. Small coffee shops that don’t have the resources to start their own cup return program can also partner with third-party cup-sharing services. These systems are convenient for customers as they allow them to return cups to a number of places. A third-party coffee shop reusable cup program means that customers pay a deposit and can use or return their cups in other locations as well. Usually, these services use tracking via apps to establish the cups sold and returned at different locations.
How to Create a Coffee Shop Reusable Cup System
The first step is to decide which of the three systems mentioned above to integrate. Some cafes also choose a hybrid system where customers can either bring their own cups or get a branded reusable cup and return it later. Each system is suitable for different types of cafes. Here are the other steps to set up a reusable cup program.
- Choose the right material for cups based on customer preference and the types of beverages offered;
- Educate staff members on the policy and the full terms and conditions of the coffee shop reusable cup program;
- Establish hygiene protocols and a designated cup washing station for returned cups;
- Consider the different types of incentives and how the loyalty program will be integrated into the business;
- Update the cafe’s POS system to accommodate the different prices for reusable cups and disposable ones;
- Monitor the performance and adapt if necessary. Businesses need to be flexible and adaptable. That means the coffee shop’s reusable cup program should be changed if needed.
Other Sustainable Policies for Coffee Shops
In addition to creating a cup return program, cafes, catering businesses, and restaurants can introduce various sustainable policies. This will further improve their efforts to limit their ecological footprint and show their commitment to be the pioneers of sustainable practices in the cafe or restaurant industry. Here are a few examples of eco-friendly policies.
- Source Fairtrade, organic, and sustainable coffee beans that ensure farmers get fair wages and farming is done in a sustainable manner;
- Reduce waste by introducing composting, recycling stations, and zero-waste packaging;
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances and power your cafe with renewable energy sources;
- Create a sustainable menu with vegan dairy alternatives and seasonal ingredients;
- Partner with sustainable suppliers or broadline distributors committed to eco-friendly policies;
- Offer incentives to customers who choose sustainable options;
- Focus on eCommerce purchases and sales and buy in bulk in order to optimize logistics costs and benefit from wholesale prices;
- Organize awareness events, educational workshops, and other events that promote eco-friendly policies to the community.
All these policies can be integrated into already established cafes or when opening а coffee shops. Sustainability is among the biggest cafe and restaurant industry trends and is likely to shape the future of various niche markets. Thus, coffee shops should benefit from the cost reduction and marketing opportunities of integrating eco-friendly policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Shop Reusable Cups
If you want to read more about wholesale pastries for coffee shops or how to sell restaurant supplies, you’ll find many resources on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve shared the answers to frequently asked questions about reusable coffee cups returned to coffee shops.
What Are the Different Types of Coffee Shop Reusable Cups?
There’s a wide variety of materials used to make reusable coffee cups. Bamboo, plastic, and stainless steel are among the common ones. Glass and ceramic are also popular materials for reusable coffee cups, but they are more common for on-premise consumption. Cafes often offer reusable tumblers and collapsible cups as part of their reusable cup programs. These containers might have smart features such as QR codes or NFC chips. This allows customers of coffee shops to easily participate in loyalty programs and track their personal contributions to the sustainability program.
Where to Buy Sustainable Coffee Cups and Other Goods?
Cafes often partner with coffee shop supply stores that specialize in wholesale sales of various cafe products. Additionally, manufacturers of cups are also a viable option for businesses that want to purchase branded coffee cups. It’s important to work with sustainable suppliers that are committed to lowering their ecological footprint. These distributors can also offer free-trade coffee in bulk, biodegradable or reusable wholesale tableware, locally sourced ingredients, and other products. Platforms like BlueCart give businesses the chance to compare different distributors, the goods they offer, and their flexibility.
How to Use Coffee Shop Reusable Cups as Part of Marketing?
Sustainability is one of the main trends in various sectors of the economy. That’s why cafes can simultaneously lower their costs and increase their sales by integrating eco-friendly practices. It’s important to showcase these policies on social media, email newsletters, and other marketing channels. Furthermore, make sure to incentivize customers to take part in your coffee shop reusable cup program or other initiatives. This will create a sense of community and help your marketing efforts. Branding is also important. If you start a brand-owned cup program, make sure the cups are branded.
BlueCart: The One-Stop Shop for Cafes and Restaurants
Whether you wish to purchase coffee shop reusable cups or specialty coffee, you’ll find various distributors on BlueCart’s marketplace. Our platform connects wholesalers with buyers who wish to find suppliers in different sectors. Distributors use BlueCart not only as a tool to increase B2B sales but also as a software solution that allows them to automate different business processes. Schedule your demo today and see how BlueCart’s wholesale ordering software can help your distribution business.