Dawlish Cup and Reusable Cup Scheme

Why do we think it is important to use reusable cups for take away hot drinks?

Fact: Most take away hot drinks’ cups are thrown in public bins.

This means that, in terms of waste, it doesn’t matter if they are compostable because they will be incinerated.

Dawlish Town Council and Dawlish Against Plastic have teamed up to organise and run a project which aims to reduce the number of take-away cups that are thrown in the bins around the town every day.

In 2025 businesses that offered take away hot drinks were surveyed. There were 21 outlets in the Dawlish Town area, including 4 grocery shops. Independent business owners were asked to estimate how many take-away hot drink cups they gave out in August 2024. Estimates were provided by 13 businesses. The total number estimated was 9,170 just for that month.

We want to encourage more people to bring their own cup reusable cups when they want a take-away coffee. Perhaps even to routinely carry one in a bag or rucksack ‘just in case’.

If customers can be persuaded to bring their own cups it will save businesses money in the long run, with reduced outlay on cups, and ensure that there is a reduction in waste to public bins.

The aim is that more people in Dawlish and visitors will routinely bring their own reusable cups.

We have now invested in a new Dawlish Cup which has been offered to businesses at less than cost price.

Posters that advertise the cup and advise customers of the 30p discount when they bring their own cup for take away drinks have been issued to all businesses that are participating. The loyalty green cards are still valid in the businesses that took part in the original pilot scheme: Woody’s, Ryder’s and The Local Scoop.

As of March 2026, this is the list of businesses offering the discount. (Look for the advertising posters.)

Ian’s (At the Velo shack, Dawlish Warren)

The Lookout (At Hazelwood Holiday Park, Dawlish Warren)

Launch of the Dawlish Cup November 2025

Event Overview

On Friday, 21st November 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming guests to the Brunswick Arms to celebrate the official launch of the new Dawlish Cup. The occasion was marked by the presence of Councillor Rosie Dawson, Vanessa Ryley, and members of the Dawlish Against Plastic Steering Group, all of whom played a significant role in bringing this initiative to fruition.

Distinguished Guests

We were delighted to be joined by the artist Tessa Challenger, Martin Wrigley MP, members of the Dawlish Chamber of Trade committee, and other valued guests who contributed to the success of the gathering. Their support and engagement highlight the strong community spirit that underpins this project.

Invitation to Local Businesses

As part of the ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, we are inviting local businesses to join our new Reusable Cup Scheme. The scheme has been thoughtfully designed to offer incentives to both businesses and the public, with the aim of encouraging widespread participation. By promoting the use of reusable cups for takeaway drinks, we hope to reduce reliance on single-use cups, which are typically discarded in local bins and subsequently incinerated.

Encouraging Sustainable Choices

Through this initiative, we encourage everyone in the community to remember to bring their reusable cups when purchasing takeaway drinks. Together, we can make a positive difference by reducing waste and fostering sustainable habits for the benefit of Dawlish and the environment.

Vanessa Ryley, Martin Wrigley MP, Cllr Rosie Dawson with Tessa Challenger

Martin Wrigley MP

Cllr Rosie and Kitty Dawson

Chamber of Trade representatives

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