New at Starbucks: Customers may use their own cups for mobile, drive-thru orders

Starbucks announced Wednesday that customers may use clean, personal cups for drive-thru and mobile orders — a major move that extends its sustainability efforts.

The new policy goes into effect immediately at all company-operated and participating licensed Starbucks stores across the United States and Canada, the coffee juggernaut said.

With this decision, Starbucks aims to reduce cup waste and the number of cups sent to landfills. The company’s overall goal is to decrease waste by 50% by 2030.

“At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, in a statement. “Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit Starbucks marks tangible progress toward the future. We know our customers are passionate about the planet, and now, they can join us in our efforts to give more than we take, no matter how they order.”

Here’s how Starbucks plans to ensure hygiene and drink quality during the transactions:

— Clean personal cups must be used. Starbucks will not rinse out cups in store sinks.

— When ordering via the app, consumers should use the “customization” option and click on “personal cup.”

— At the store and at the drive-thru, customers will place their cup (without lid) in Starbucks’ “contactless vessel.” The finished drink will be given back to the customer in the same fashion.

— To maintain drink quality, baristas will make drinks the size ordered (tall, grande, venti) in a separate vessel, then pour the drink into the customer’s cup.

Customers will receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage when using a personal cup. In addition, Starbucks Rewards members will get 25 bonus stars.

Details: www.starbucks.com