Case study on Circular Economy: ReCup – deposit system for reused coffee cups

Initial situation:

At a time when single-use plastic consumption and environmental pollution are reaching alarming levels, societies are looking for sustainable alternatives to reduce the consumption of single-use products.

Challenge:

The daily consumption of takeaway coffee in disposable cups leads to an enormous amount of waste that pollutes the Sustainable World. How can we reduce the consumption of disposable cups and at the same time offer a convenient system for takeaway coffee?

Solution approach:

ReCup has taken up this challenge by introducing a deposit system for reusable coffee cups in Germany. Customers can receive their coffee in a ReCup and return this cup to any participating store to get their deposit back. This encourages the reuse of cups and reduces the amount of single-use plastic and paper that is thrown away every day. ReCup also works with a large number of cafés and restaurants to create an extensive cup return network.

Results:

By introducing this deposit system, ReCup has created a practical and sustainable alternative to disposable cups. Customers appreciate the opportunity to actively contribute to reducing waste while enjoying their daily coffee. This system has not only reduced a considerable amount of waste, but has also raised awareness of the environmental impact of single-use consumption. The growing number of participating stores shows the positive response and the success of the ReCup system.