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 every year? A staggering number that underscores how urgent it is to take action. Not by eliminating our coffee breaks (don’t worry), but by rethinking our habits. It is with this awareness in mind that the Bulk and Reuse Networks Association is organizing its Bring Your Mug Day 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 come with 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, aimed at raising awareness among the public (especially takeout drink lovers) to reduce their waste. Indeed, although a large portion of cups is recyclable, this does not erase all the production of these items created beforehand, along with the management of their sorting…
Reuse to Consume Better
The idea behind Bring Your Mug Day and its guideline (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 drink, has been associated with a quick, convenient, and non-bulky experience that relies on the use of a disposable cup. This way of consuming is ingrained in our routines (and has also been fed by pop culture / films, etc…) and, like any habit, it is difficult to change.
Nevertheless, 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 observed a growth in second-hand items, especially for clothing, furniture, books/DVDs/vinyls, but also in 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, to replace disposables with reusables for on-site meals. Takeaway has also seen initiatives arise, although it is a bit more reluctant to change.
Rewarding Good Actions
To encourage the use of reusable containers for drinks and takeout meals, we have tugged at our sensitive strings, aka saving money (because apparently, humans can be reluctant to change but less so when it comes to saving money). On one hand, the anti-waste law for a circular economy from 2021 makes it mandatory to offer a discount on your takeaway 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 (CROUS) have also implemented similar initiatives.
The Bring Your Mug Day initiative fits into this approach, but goes further because for one day only, coffee will be free if you come with your mug! A great idea to attract many customers (some of whom have surely never used a reusable cup). And thus, show them that it isn’t that burdensome to carry a little cup or thermos with you!
How to Find Out Which Cafés Are Participating in Bring Your Mug Day?
This year, Bring Your Mug Day features 319 partner cafés in the operation across France, including 58 in Paris (compared to a total of 80 for the first edition!). Among the locations ready to offer you your coffee break (or other hot drinks depending on the place), we find 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 as it’s the back-to-school season, which is the perfect time to start a new routine, we count on you to adopt the reusable mug for good!
*via the Bulk and Reuse Networks Association website
Photo: Unsplash, Pinterest
