Join the Glastonbury reusable cup revolution

Glastonbury is stepping up its sustainability game with a reusable cup scheme.

It’s estimated the people of the UK produce 30,000 tonnes of disposable cup waste each year. That’s the equivalent of 3 Eifel Towers worth! Single-use cups are one of the most common types of litter and contain micro-plastics which often end up in our environment and even our bodies. It’s well documented that our oceans and rivers are full of plastic, harming marine life.

Glastonbury resident Laura Sorensen is calling out to locals and visitors to think twice before using disposable cups when buying their takeaway beverages. She is also urging all local food and drink outlets to get on board and offer to ‘fill my cup’ or charge extra for single-use ones. Bishop’s Eye café in Wells is one of the early adopters, with Glastonbury’s Earthfare, 100 Monkeys Café, and the Tourist Information Centre are also joining in.

To entice locals and tourists to take up the challenge, there is a Glastonbury reusable cup, made from recycled single-use ones, which features an image of the famous Tor. These are available to buy at Earthfare in Glastonbury who received help to fund them from Glastonbury Town Council. Funds raised from selling these will help to promote the scheme further.

Alex and Anna of Earthfare promoting the Glastonbury reusable cup and Kate at 100 Monkeys

We asked Laura how her campaign was coming along.

She told us: “It’s going well, and people are interested, but we have a long way to go. Good intentions must lead to action. The next step is to get backing from Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce and Clarks Village to encourage more local drink outlets to adopt the scheme. Reusable cups are a simple way to reduce waste and promote sustainability and should be second nature to use. It’s like taking reusable bags to the shops, we do it without thinking now.

We want to make Glastonbury greener, one cup at a time and encourage everyone to join the reusable cup revolution! We would like to see all drink outlets offering reusable cups or encouraging drinkers to bring their own cup - every time! If the single-use cups are not on display and only the reusable cups are promoted it helps. If single-use cups were charged at 25p extra (for example) and using a resuable cup attracted a discount 25p, this would be a great incentive!

Bringing your reusable cup to coffee shops, work, or anywhere you might get a drink is a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste. Many cafes and businesses offer discounts or incentives for using reusable cups, making it easier to adopt eco-friendly habits. This small action can significantly impact reducing waste, and protecting our environment. We can all make a difference, one cup at a time!”

Get into the habit!

• Keep It Handy: Always have a reusable cup in your bag, car, or at work.
• Ask drink retailers to fill it up. Many do, and if they aren’t, if enough people ask, they will think again.
• Use Incentives: Take advantage of discounts for using reusable cups.
• Set Reminders: Use phone alerts or sticky notes to remember your cup.
• Lead by Example: Inspire others by using your reusable cup.
• Choose Stylish Cups: Pick a cup you love to use.
• Think of the Impact: Remember the environmental benefits.
• Join Initiatives: Participate in “No Disposable Cup Day” and similar events.

 

These small steps can make a big difference!