Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T15:18:52.705Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Unravelling experiences, barriers, and design strategies for encouraging reusable takeaway cup usage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2024

Laure Herweyers*
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Belgium
Els Du Bois
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Belgium
Ingrid Moons
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The increasing use of disposable takeaway cups negatively affects the environment due to their non-recyclability and waste. This study investigates the adoption and sustained use of reusable takeaway cups in Belgium, including routines and experience. We did structured interviews (n=58), a survey (n=300), diary studies (n=8) and interviews with baristas (n=8). The findings provide recommendations including clear communication, incentives, and user-friendly cup design. Future research should test interventions and consider regional and cultural variations in sustainable coffee consumption.

Type
Human Behaviour and Design Creativity
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
The Author(s), 2024.

References

Billie Cup, 2023. One cup for All [WWW Document]. BillieCup. URL https://billiecup.com/nl/ (accessed 8.24.23).Google Scholar
Environmental Audit Committee, 2018. Environmental Audit Committee 5th Special Report. Disposable Packaging: Coffee Cups [WWW Document]. URL https://www.publicinformationonline.com/shop/172797 (accessed 8.24.23).Google Scholar
Fetner, H., Miller, S.A., 2021. Environmental payback periods of reusable alternatives to single-use plastic kitchenware products. Int J Life Cycle Assess 26, 15211537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-021-01946-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gitnux, 2023. The Most Surprising Coffee Cup Waste Statistics And Trends in 2023 [WWW Document]. URL https://blog.gitnux.com/coffee-cup-waste-statistics/ (accessed 8.24.23).Google Scholar
Grand View Research, 2020. Disposable Cups Market Size | Industry Report, 2021-2028 [WWW Document]. URL https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/disposable-cups-market (accessed 8.22.23).Google Scholar
Jepsen, E.M., de Bruyn, P.J.N., 2019. Pinniped entanglement in oceanic plastic pollution: A global review. Marine Pollution Bulletin 145, 295305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.042CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kanniah, J.C., 2021. Why don't more people recycle their coffee cups? [WWW Document]. Perfect Daily Grind. URL https://perfectdailygrind.com/2021/06/why-is-recycling-single-use-coffee-cups-so-difficult/ (accessed 8.24.23).Google Scholar
Kühn, S., Bravo Rebolledo, E.L., van Franeker, J.A., 2015. Deleterious Effects of Litter on Marine Life, in: Bergmann, M., Gutow, L., Klages, M. (Eds.), Marine Anthropogenic Litter. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 75116. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16510-3_4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
López-Bao, J.V., Margalida, A., 2018. Slow transposition of European environmental policies. Nat Ecol Evol 2, 914914. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0565-8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miao, X., Magnier, L., Mugge, R., 2023. Switching to reuse? An exploration of consumers’ perceptions and behaviour towards reusable packaging systems. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 193, 106972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106972CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Niimi, M., Wakes, S., McGuire, M., 2014. Design for sustainability: Addressing Food waste behaviour through social practice approaches.Google Scholar
Novoradovskaya, E., Mullan, B., Hasking, P., Uren, H.V., 2021. My cup of tea: Behaviour change intervention to promote use of reusable hot drink cups. Journal of Cleaner Production 284, 124675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124675CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, M., 2010. Defying Obsolescence, in: Longer Lasting Products. Routledge.Google Scholar
Poortinga, W., Whitaker, L., 2018. Promoting the Use of Reusable Coffee Cups through Environmental Messaging, the Provision of Alternatives and Financial Incentives. Sustainability 10, 873. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030873CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sandhu, S., Lodhia, S., Potts, A., Crocker, R., 2021. Environment friendly takeaway coffee cup use: Individual and institutional enablers and barriers. Journal of Cleaner Production 291, 125271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125271CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Setälä, O., Fleming-Lehtinen, V., Lehtiniemi, M., 2014. Ingestion and transfer of microplastics in the planktonic food web. Environmental Pollution 185, 7783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.10.013CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed