Buzz
For years, Starbucks customers have had to choose between convenience and sustainability when ordering on the go. Until recently, it was impossible to use a reusable cup for drive-thru or mobile orders.
However, since January 3, 2024, this has changed. As reported by NBC News, Starbucks baristas in the U.S. and Canada are now accepting any reusable cup for all orders via drive-thru or mobile app. This is part of the company’s initiative to cut waste by 50% by 2030.
Starbucks' Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori stated in a press release, "At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage is served in a reusable cup. Offering customers the option to use their own cup is a significant step forward. Our customers care deeply about the planet, and now, they can help us achieve our goal to give more than we take, regardless of how they place their order."
If the environmental benefit of using your own cup isn’t enough to motivate you, here’s an extra incentive: You’ll save 10 cents on your purchase. Plus, Starbucks Rewards members (in the U.S. only) will earn 25 Bonus Stars.
Your reusable cup doesn’t need to be a Starbucks-branded one.Starbucks has procedures to ensure the entire process remains hygienic. For example, baristas won’t be washing customers' cups; if a cup is dirty, they won’t accept it. Ideally, baristas won’t handle your cup at all: You’ll place it in a 'contactless vessel'—basically a cup holder with a handle—and remove it after your drink is ready.
Here’s the process. When you place an order at the drive-thru, inform the barista that you’re using a reusable cup, which you’ll hand over at the pick-up window. If ordering through the Starbucks app, choose 'Customization' and then 'Personal Cup'; you’ll give the barista your cup when you pick up your mobile order. In both cases, the barista will have to wait to begin preparing your drink, as they can’t start a drive-thru order until you’re at the pick-up window, nor can they begin a mobile order until you’ve arrived. So, it’s wise to plan for a few extra minutes in your schedule.
