Borrow A Cup @ NUS

In line with Starbucks’s global goal to reduce waste sent to landfills by 50% by 2030, the globally renowned chain has announced the launch of its pioneer Borrow A Cup programme on our sunny shores. It is especially convenient for students like you and I, as it is conveniently located within the NUS campus from January to May 2022.

The programme aims to shift away from using single-use plastic and to encourage using reusables – cups that replace up to 30 single-use cups. Customers will order their usual beverage in a reusable cup through the programme at no additional charges, return it at designated sites located all over NUS for professional cleaning and re-used once again by another customer. This promotes a circular economy and reduces the demand for traditional single-use plastic (Starbucks, 2022).

For those who are keen, the participating Starbuck stores are located at (1) NUS Techno Edge, NUS University Town and (3) NUS Wet Science Building.

A gift that gives 

For those who unfortunately do not live near NUS, there are other alternatives and ways you can consume Starbucks in a more sustainable manner. In the spirit to turn towards reusable cups, Starbucks has sporadic events where reusable cups will be given as gifts to customers who purchase any handcrafted beverage. These events help to cultivate the spirit of using reusables and being a part of Starbucks, a ‘resource-positive-company’.

 

Starbucks as a globally renowned brand has impacted the caffeinated-beverage industry through its use of cups for the drinks, but that said they too, as a brand have come up with ways to reverse their tracks. These campaigns and programmes are ways in which they have attempted to introduce reusable and eco-friendly practices with their brand. Thus is Starbucks still a Big Bad Brand or a Big (not so) Bad Brand?

 

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