From Thursday 2 January - Monday 16th March 2020, four outlets on campus (Derwent Cafe, Glasshouse, Hub Cafe and Vedge) took part in a single-use cup trial, where they did not offer single-use takeaway cups. For takeaway drinks, customers needed to provide the barista with their own cup, or customers could join the #YORCUP scheme. We had an incredible responde from both staff and students on campus, and the results speak for themselves.
Hub Cafe
- We purchase single-use cups monthly for each outlet. During 2020, the monthly average of single-use cup purchases went from 2,383 to just 115.
- Between January - March 2018 we purchased 7,960 single-use cups for Hub Cafe. Between January - March 2020 we purchased 0.
Derwent Cafe
- We purchase single-use cups monthly for each outlet. During 2020, the monthly average of single-use cup purchases went from 2,518 to just 242.
- Between January - March 2018 we purchased 8,748 single-use cups for Derwent Cafe. Between January - March 2020 we purchased 0.
Vedge*
- We purchase single-use cups monthly for each outlet. During 2020, the monthly average of single-use cup purchases went from 2,781 to just 276.
- Between January - March 2018 we purchased 9,665 single-use cups for Vedge & Cookies. Between January - March 2020 we purchased 3,320.
YORCUP
Discounts
During the cup trial we gave out a total of £1,754.20 worth of discounts
We received a wide range of feedback from both staff and students regarding the cup trial. See some examples below:
After taking into consideration all of the feedback, we wanted to ensure we continued to make sustainable changes to our services on campus, however, we did realise that the removal of single-use cups in all outlets would be problematic for visitors. We also took into consideration how this would effect large events, such as Open Day and Graduation.
We were also greatly effected by the outbreak of COVID-19, which meant we were unable to accept reusable cups in order to minimise the spread of the virus.
As a result, we decided to push forward and introduce 25 single-use plastic cup bins on campus. Whilst we want to encourage all customers to bring their own cups or join the YORCUP scheme, we understand this might not always be possible. We hope that by adding the bins to our campus, we are able to combat the use of single-use cups in a positive and easy way.
Find out more about the single-use cup bins.
* Vedge single-use cup purchases include figures from Cookies (based in Biology) as this is how the stock and till systems work.