How you can help reduce coffee cup waste in Cardiff - one reusable cup at a time

How you can get involved

Getting involved in the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the Refill App: Start by downloading the Refill app, available for free on your smartphone. This app will show you which cafés and coffee shops in Cardiff are participating.

2. Borrow a reusable cup: When you order a takeaway coffee at any participating café, ask to use a Cardiff Refill Return Cup. The barista will scan a QR code on the cup using the app, and that cup becomes yours temporarily.

3. Enjoy your coffee: Drink your coffee knowing you’ve just helped cut down on waste! Plus, many cafés will reward you with a discount (typically around 15p) just for using a reusable cup.

4. Return the cup: When you’re done, simply bring the cup back to any participating location within two weeks. The app will even remind you when it’s time to return it. There’s no charge as long as you return the cup on time.

5. Repeat: Every time you borrow and return a cup, you’re helping reduce the number of single-use cups that end up in landfill or littering the streets.

Why it matters

You may not realise it, but disposable coffee cups are a huge environmental problem. They’re lined with plastic, which means 99% of them aren’t recyclable. Even if you’re careful about putting your cup in the recycling bin, it’s likely still heading for landfill. In fact, the amount of disposable coffee cups we use in the UK could wrap around the planet five and a half times every year.

By switching to a reusable cup, you’re playing a part in cutting down the 30,000 tonnes of waste created by single-use cups annually. Every small action counts, and this scheme makes it easier than ever to make a positive change.

Support your local cafés

Cardiff’s thriving café scene is also getting behind the initiative. Popular spots like Waterloo Tea, Pettigrew Bakeries, Da Coffee, and Bird & Blend Tea have already signed up. By participating, these local businesses are helping to make Cardiff a greener place, and you can support them simply by borrowing a cup.

Many cafés are offering discounts on your coffee for using a Cardiff Refill Return Cup, so not only are you reducing waste, but you’re also saving money!

What if you forget to return it?

We’ve all been there—you take your coffee with you and then completely forget about returning the cup. Don’t worry! The Refill app is designed to remind you. If you don’t return the cup within two weeks, you might be charged, but as long as you bring it back on time, you can keep using the scheme for free.

This flexible system means you can enjoy your coffee on the go without the guilt of creating waste. Even if you’re not a regular coffee drinker, participating in the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme when you do grab a takeaway drink can make a big impact over time.

Be part of Cardiff’s sustainability movement

Cardiff is leading the way in sustainability, and you can be a part of this exciting movement. The Cardiff Refill Return Cup is just one piece of the puzzle, helping reduce litter, protect the environment, and move the city towards a greener future.

Whether you’re a student grabbing a coffee between lectures, a professional heading to work, or someone just enjoying a stroll through the city, this scheme makes it easy for you to make eco-friendly choices every day.

How your small action can make a big difference

Every cup you borrow and return helps reduce the massive amount of waste generated by single-use cups. By embracing this scheme, Cardiff residents and visitors can prevent up to 30,000 disposable cups from entering the waste stream over the next six months alone. Imagine the long-term impact if more people get involved!

So, the next time you’re craving a coffee, think about the difference you can make. Download the Refill app, borrow a Cardiff Refill Return Cup, and take part in a simple yet effective way to reduce waste and help make Cardiff a cleaner, greener city.