You can now use personal cups for drinks at Wisconsin Starbucks stores and drive-thrus

Claire Reid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read
Starbucks becomes first national coffee retailer to accept reusable cups.
Starbucks becomes first national coffee retailer to accept reusable cups.

Attention Starbucks lovers, you can now drink your favorite beverages from America's most popular coffeehouse chain in your own personal cup or mug brought from home.

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 3, customers can bring in their own clean, personal cup to all company-operated and participating licensed Starbucks stores across the U.S. and Canada, Starbucks shared in a news release. Customers can use their personal cup when ordering in-store, in the drive-thru or when ordering ahead using the Starbucks app.

While allowing personal cups for drive-thru and mobile orders may be new at most Starbucks locations, in-store, the coffeehouse chain has actually offered customers a 10-cent beverage discount when they bring in their own cup since the 1980s.

Starbucks said Tuesday's change marks a "big opportunity for customers to choose reusables and supports Starbucks' commitment to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030" ― a commitment Starbucks' then-CEO Kevin Johnson announced at the beginning of 2020.

Starbucks tested the bring-your-own cup program and other reusable cup programs at stores and drive-thrus in California, Colorado, Arizona State University and other locations between 2019 and 2023.

A "successful personal cup test" at 200 Colorado drive-thru locations allowed Starbucks and its partners to design the "custom reusable cup smallware" all stores will now use to safely transfer orders to personal cups in a no-contact manner, the company shared in yesterday's release.

How do I use my own personal, reusable cup at Starbucks?

Starbucks customers can now use personal cups for in-store, drive-thru and in-app beverage purchases.

Any customer who brings in a clean, personal cup to a participating Starbucks will receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage. Additionally, Starbucks Reward members will receive 25 Bonus Stars (up to three times per day).

  • In-store: In Starbucks stores, customers should tell the barista that they've brought their own cup and hand the cup to the barista. Customers who choose to enjoy their drink in-store can also request a reusable cup at most stores, Starbucks said.

  • Drive-thru: At the drive-thru, customers should order their beverage "as usual" and let the barista know they've brought their own cup. "At the pickup window, baristas will collect customers' personal cup without the lid using a contactless vessel to ensure hygiene and safety," Starbucks said. "The beverage will be returned the same way."

  • Mobile orders: When ordering on the Starbucks app, customers should first hit the "customization" button and then select "personal cup" before ordering as they normally would. When they arrive at the store, customers should give their personal cup to a barista, who'll meet them in the pick-up area. The barista will hand the beverage back in a contactless vessel, Starbucks said.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Customers can now bring personal cups to Starbucks stores, drive-thrus