The Curator is excited to introduce a returnable cup initiative in our coffee shops with the aim to reduce the use of single-use disposable cups.
We have worked with the Cornish based company Circular & Co to use their returnable cups as well as environmental organisation City To Sea, who have both shared their expertise and resources to help us implement our returnable initiative effectively.
We will still be serving all of our drinks to take away but we will encourage you to either join our returnable cup initiative or bring in your own cup from home so you can help towards our mission of reducing the amount of paper cups that are used and disposed of.
Our goal is one day to completely eliminate the use of disposable cups altogether in our coffee shops and you can help us by joining our initiative or dig out your reusable cup and join our movement towards sustainability!
HOW DO I TAKE PART?
Pay £3.50 to loan one of our Circular & Co returnable cups from any of The Curator coffee shops.
Your hot beverage will be made in a returnable cup with a lid.
Enjoy your sustainable cuppa on the go and keep hold of it for your next visit.
On your next visit, bring in your returnable cup and lid and place your drink order at the till, we will swap it out for a clean, sanitised one to make your next drink in and you’ll get to enjoy a 15p discount on your purchase.
If you choose to leave the scheme at any point, upon returning the cup and lid to any of The Curator coffee shops you can redeem any tea or coffee beverage of your choice to enjoy.
To encourage more use of reusable cups in general we’ll also be giving a 15p discount on beverages made in any reusable cup, not just those made in our Circular & Co returnable cups.
FAQS
When is this happening?
We will be introducing the Circular & Co returnable cup initiative at The Curator coffee shops in September 2023.
Where does the cup come from?
The cups are designed and produced by Cornish company Circular & Co.
Why Circular & Co?
As a business Circular & Co have dedicated a lot of time and energy into the research and implementation of the design and production of reusable and returnable cups. The cups are made from Polypropylene which is a 100% home recyclable plastic, they can be used 500+ times, they’re easily washed and stackable.
I already have a reusable cup, can I still use it?
Yes absolutely, if you already have your own reusable cup then please use it! Remember to bring your reusable cup with you when you’re next ordering a takeaway, place your order at the counter as usual and we’ll make your cuppa in it and as a reward we’ll give you a 15p discount on your beverage.
I don’t have a reusable cup, can I join the returnable initiative?
Yes! Join our returnable cup initiative; pay £3.50 to loan one of our Circular & Co returnable cups and place your order as usual at the counter and we will make your drink into a returnable cup. You can return your cup (with lid) at any time to redeem a free tea or coffee.
Will the cup keep my coffee hot?
The cup has a heat diffusing ribbed edge so you won’t burn your hands, however it is not a thermos cup but it will keep your drink warm in the same way that a paper cup does.
Will you still make coffee in ceramic?
Yes, nothing is changing for drink in, as always all drinks to have in at the premises will still be made in our ceramic cups.
Will you still make coffee in paper takeaway cups?
Yes whilst we prepare to transition over to only using returnable cups we will still be making coffee in the paper takeaway cups.
Can my drink be made in my loan cup that I’ve brought in?
The cup is a loan cup in a circular system, which means you’re borrowing it from The Curator; when you bring your cup in and order a drink, your cup will go through our sanitising system and your drink will be made in a clean cup from our stack.
How are you washing them?
The cups and lids are treated in the same way as all of our crockery, they go through our dishwasher system and get stacked up ready to be used again.
I’d like to buy multiple cups, is there a discount?
The cups are loaned at £3.50 each, you can buy multiple cups but there is no discount for multibuys.
I don’t want the lid, can I get a discount?
The cup is loaned with the lid for £3.50, you’ll need the lid if you ever want to fully return the cup and lid to redeem a hot drink.
Why are the different cup sizes the same price?
The cups cost the same to make and buy. We have two sizes to suit your drink preferences and you can switch between them at any point with no hassle.
When returning my cup, do I have to return the lid too?
Yes please, bring the lid with your cup so it can be washed and sanitised.
When returning my cup, do I have to take it back to the cafe I got it from?
You can return your cup and lid to any of The Curator coffee shops to redeem your free drink.
What happens if my cup breaks?
The cup is robust and designed to last hundreds of uses but if it does break you can simply recycle it with your home plastic recycling waste. If the cup is broken you won’t be able to redeem your free hot drink upon return of the cup and lid.
What happens if I lose my cup?
Take care of your cup, if you lose it you won’t be able to redeem your free drink!
See full terms & conditions here