Starbucks customers will be able to fill up their own cups via the company’s app and drive-thru starting Wednesday.
The coffee chain, in an attempt to cut down on waste created from people throwing away its cups, has expanded the “personal cup” program to new venues. (It has been an option for in-store customers since 1985, but drive-thru and app orders make up the majority of the company’s orders.)
Before you grab your Big Bubba cooler, though, it’s worth noting that Starbucks will not accept any cups larger than 40 ounces—and all cups must be cleaned before you bring them to the chain. Drinks will also be made in a custom container to ensure the flavor is consistent—so bringing a giant cup won’t make your venti any larger.
For drive-thru customers, all you have to do is inform the baristas that you have your own mug. When you get to the window, the employee will collect it “using a contactless vessel to ensure hygiene and safety.”
Customers who bring their own cup will also receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage and an additional 25 bonus stars in their Starbucks rewards program.
“At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, in a statement. “Offering customers more options to use a personal cup when they visit Starbucks marks tangible progress towards the future.”
Starbucks claims to be the only national coffee chain in the U.S. To allow customers to bring their own cups. The company hopes to eliminate disposable cups altogether by 2030, but progress on that has been slow, with only 1.2% of all sales in 2022 being made in reusable containers.
