The scheme is the first of its kind and will allow Cardiffians to “borrow” a reusable takeaway cup from participating cafes to be returned at a later date.
The scheme will begin on 4 October 2024 and was created by FOR Cardiff with £90,000 of funding from the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
FOR Cardiff has partnered with charity City to Sea to use its Refill app which will allow residents and visitors to easily find locations to pick up and drop off their reusable cups.
Carolyn Brownell, executive director at FOR Cardiff, said: “Our 2021-26 FOR Cardiff business plan clearly sets out our ambition to support businesses and work with local stakeholders to improve sustainability of our city centre, so we were thrilled to secure the funding we need to bring this exciting pilot to life.
“We’re positive that Cardiffians will get behind the scheme and help us to prevent up to 30,000 single-use cups from ever being used.”
How will the reusable cup scheme work?
Customers will download the Refill app and register their card details in preparations for using one of the cups (no charges will be taken).
When a customer comes in for a coffee, the barista will use the app to scan a QR code on one of the Cardiff Refill Return Cups, and temporary ownership of the cup goes to the customer.
The customer will be reminded when and where to return the cup by the Refill app – provided the cup is returned within two weeks, there is no charge for using the scheme. If the customer fails to return the cup they will be charged £3 for its replacement.
Once the customer returns the cup, the participating retailer will scan it back in, wash it and put it back into circulation to be re-used by another customer.
Cardiff cafes and coffee shops who have so far signed up to be part of the scheme include Waterloo Tea in Wyndham Arcade, Pettigrew Bakeries (three locations across the city – Castle Arcade, Bute Park and Roath), Da Coffee (two locations at Tramshed Tech and One Central Square) and, Bird & Blend Tea. These cafes will be provided with a stock of the reusable cups.
Each venue has committed to offering a minimum of 15p discount on the price of a coffee for anyone using the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme.
David Le Masurier, co-founder of Pettigrew Bakeries in Cardiff – one of the first independent businesses to sign up to the new scheme – said: “Over the years we have consistently looked at ways to offer takeaways more sustainably – from offering discounts for people using their own cups, to making sure we sourced biodegradable materials for cups and packaging – but there are various challenges with both of these approaches.
“Being part of this pilot was an absolute no-brainer for us as it is clearly the most sustainable option; we’re really excited to get started. We know our customers’ will jump at the chance to tackle the issue.”
Any other Cardiff venues who would like to be part of the scheme should get in touch before 13 September 2024 by emailing Rhiannon at FOR Cardiff via email at rhiannon@forcardiff.com.
Pilot phase of reusable cup scheme
A pilot phase of the scheme was run until the end of March 2025.
The impact of the scheme will be measured and evaluated by the Greenwich Business School at the University of Greenwich and the Cardiff Business School at Cardiff University, in hopes that the data will help to provide a blueprint for future schemes across the UK.
Dr Nadine Leader, lecturer in Logistics and Operations at Cardiff Business School (Cardiff University), said: “The research undertaken by Cardiff Business School is in alignment with our Public Value Strategy of generating social and economic value to local communities and businesses in Wales and beyond.
“The research will evaluate the challenges and sustainable impact of the Cardiff Refill Return Cup, with the findings to be published at the end of the pilot. This will be crucial if we are to see similar schemes rolled out across Wales and the rest of the UK.”
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