Bring Your Mug Day: for a more mindful coffee break!
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Did you know that 16 billion cups are thrown away globally each year? A staggering number that highlights how it’s time to take action. Not by eliminating our coffee breaks (no worries) but by rethinking our habits. It is in this awareness that the Bulk and Reuse Networks Association is organizing its Bring Your Mug Day operation for the second consecutive year, this Friday, September 19. For this edition, 319 locations are joining the movement and will offer free coffee to those who bring their own mug!
What is Bring Your Mug Day?
Launched in 2024, Bring Your Mug Day is an initiative created by the Bulk and Reuse Networks Association, aiming to raise awareness among the public (and primarily takeout beverage lovers) to reduce their waste. Indeed, while a large part of cups is recyclable, this does not erase all the production of these items made upstream, and the management of their sorting…
Reuse to Consume Better
The idea behind Bring Your Mug Day and its premise (bringing your own cup = 1 free coffee) is to invite people to rethink their daily habits. Indeed, for years, the act of grabbing a coffee or any takeout beverage has been associated with a quick, hassle-free experience that relies on the use of disposable cups. This way of consuming is embedded in our mindset (and has also been fueled by pop culture / movies, etc…) and, like any habit, it is hard to change.
However, in recent years, the awakening of consciousness regarding climate issues, consumption, and recycling has led to the establishment of new habits in our daily lives. These solutions are partly based on the principle of reuse. We have thus observed a growth in second-hand items, especially for clothing, furniture, books/dvds/vinyls, as well as automobiles and appliances.
This new conception of consumption has also managed to find its place in the restaurant industry. Especially by rethinking dishes and cutlery in certain fast-food chains, in order to replace disposables with reusables for on-site meals. And takeout has also seen initiatives emerge, although it is a bit more reluctant to change.
Rewarding Good Actions
To encourage the use of reusable containers for takeout beverages and meals, we have appealed to our sensitivity, aka saving money (because apparently, humans can be resistant to change, but less so to savings). On one hand, the anti-waste law for a circular economy of 2021 mandates a discount on your takeout drink if you bring your own cup. Other restaurateurs have followed suit and deduct a few cents from your receipt if you come with your own Tupperware. Some university restaurants have also implemented similar initiatives.
The Bring Your Mug Day operation is thus part of this approach, but goes further, because for one day, coffee will be free if you come with your mug! A great idea to attract many customers (some of whom may have never used a reusable cup). And thus, show them that it’s not so burdensome to carry around your little cup or thermos!
How to Know Which Cafés are Partners of Bring Your Mug Day?
This year, Bring Your Mug Day counts 319 partner cafés of the operation in France, including 58 in Paris (compared to 80 in total for the first edition!). Among the addresses ready to offer you your coffee break (or other hot beverages depending on the location) are groups like La Brioche Dorée, Cojean, Columbus Café & Co, Land&Monkeys…
You can find the participating locations for Bring Your Mug Day on the online map.
And since it’s back-to-school time, making it the perfect moment to start a new routine, we’re counting on you to adopt the reusable mug for good!
*via the website of the Bulk and Reuse Networks Association
Photo: Unsplash, Pinterest
