We all know that Earth’s resources are finite, so limiting and reducing what we use and throw away on a daily basis is key to reducing our personal impact.
Dawlish Against Plastic is organising and running a pilot project with the support of Dawlish Town Council. The project aims to increase awareness of the need to conserve resources and reduce the number of take-away cups that are thrown in the bins around the town every day. Initially, we have secured a grant of £500 from ‘Our Green Futures’ for the project.
You may know that we have no composting facilities for bioplastics in this area and that most cups and lids are thrown into public bins which means they will be incinerated. These bioplastics should not be put for recycling as this leads to contamination. This is why there is a need to significantly reduce the amount of cups that are used.
Our idea is to try to change the public mindset and encourage more people to bring their own reusable cups when they are planning to have a take-away coffee. Perhaps even to routinely carry one in a bag or rucksack ‘just in case’.
The reduction of plastic bags used is a good example of how a scheme could change things. Many people will now automatically take their reusable bags to the shops and will feel guilty if they forget because they know that the expectation is generally that they will have their own bags. Changing attitudes and habits takes time but can happen.
The reusable cup pilot scheme involves a concentrated period of promotion of reusable cup usage through advertising and the introduction of a Dawlish Green Card. The card works in a similar way to a loyalty card, giving a stamp every time a customer uses their own cup. When they have filled the card with stamps, they will receive their free coffee from any of the participating businesses. The card would then be retained by the business and presented for reimbursement of the coffee price at a set rate from a grant set aside for the purpose.
This will save businesses money in the long run with reduced outlay on cups.
At the beginning of the pilot project, owners will be asked to estimate how many cups are given out per month. At the end of the project, success will be measured by comparing before and after figures. Also, by the number of returning customers. Figures will be based on specific months, as numbers vary according to the time of year.
The eventual aim is that more people in Dawlish will use reusable cups and that the scheme will be rolled out to include more businesses.
A project funded by Our Green Futures.
