Disposable beverage cups are a major source of landfill waste and contribute to plastic pollution. That’s why two convenience stores in the northern city of Taoyuan are making a change.
Load up a QR code and you’re good to go. Taoyuan City convenience stores are allowing customers to rent a reusable coffee cup. Right now there are two stores offering the new containers, with eight more on the way.
Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan says it’s all part of his plans to develop a circular economy and smart city. He says the four main convenience store chains use 450 million disposable cups a year. Making things reusable is a great way to reduce waste, plastic, and carbon emissions.
Great things often have small beginnings. But customers are already pleased. One woman says it’s a pain to have to bring a cup every day. She much prefers being able to rent one at the store.
At the moment you don’t need to pay a deposit to rent a cup, and stores are giving out discount vouchers to the first 500 customers. The discount for bringing your own cup also still applies. For Taoyuan’s transition towards a greener economy, it’s a small step in the right direction.