Waitrose Set to Stop Using Disposable Cups in Stores

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myWaitrose customers asked to bring reusable cups when claiming free tea or coffee

Waitrose has announced plans to end the use of disposable coffee cups from all its stores in a bid to reduce plastic and packaging waste and stop millions going into landfill.

The supermarket, which has five shops in our borough - large stores in Westfield Shopping Centre and Fulham Broadway, plus branches of Little Waitrose in Fulham Palace Road, Parsons Green and North End Road expects the removal of disposal coffee cups – which is made of a mixture of paper and plastic and so is hard to recycle – to be fully implemented by autumn this year.

The supermarket says that customers on the myWaitrose loyalty scheme will continue to have the option to enjoy a free tea or coffee from the shop’s self-serve machine as a thank you for shopping with us.

However, in the coming weeks customers will be asked to bring in their own reusable cups.

Waitrose believe that this will save 52 million cups every year.

"We realise this is a major change, but we believe removing all takeaway disposable cups is the right thing to do for our business and are confident the majority of customers will support the environmental benefits," said Waitrose head of sustainability Tor Harris.

"It underlines our commitment to plastic and packaging reduction and our aim is to deliver this as quickly as possible."

Waitrose is joining other chains campaigning against plastic, including Pret a Manger which offers a 50p discount for customers bringing their own reusable cups. Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Paul and Gregs also offer smaller discounts.

A campaign called One Less Bottle is aiming to reduce to use of single use plastic water bottles and is calling for drinking fountains to be installed across London.

April 20, 2018