The UAB promotes a reusable cups pilot project to reduce waste in cafés and restaurants
THE UAB is promoting a pilot project for reusable cups in restaurants and cafés, a pioneering initiative that aims to promote responsible consumption and reduce waste generated by single-use packagings.
A campus restaurant can serve approximately 450 hot drinks in disposable each day, generating up to 1,200kg of waste per year.
On Tuesday 21 October, the UAB is launching a pilot test of reusable cups for hot drinks in two of the campus cafeterias: Arts & Humanities - Psychology and Education - Translation and Interpreting. The initiative is part of the project to promote reusable containers for drinks and takeaway meals, with the aim of replacing single-use cups and lunch trays with sustainable alternatives.
The pilot programme will allow to evaluate aspects such as user acceptance, effective reuse of cups, return system and management by staff. These results will be used to design the replication of the system in the rest of cafés and restaurants and implement it gradually throughout the academic year.
The new reusable cups with personalised UAB lids are made with sustainable materials: 60% rice husk from the Ebro Delta and 40% polypropylene. They are microwave and dishwasher safe, and are designed to be reused several times.
The project is coordinated by Restauració (Community Economic Dynamisation Unit) and the Sustainability Office, with the support of the Waste Agency of Catalonia, which collaborates through a subsidy for waste prevention.
The price for the first cup (1.50 euros) is not refundable, but does come with a token that can be exchanged for future beverages. The cup must be in good condition and not have suffered any intentional damage (cups with graffiti will not be accepted). The tokens have been designed and produced in collaboration with CIRCULAB, using recycled plastic from waste generated on campus.
Why choose a reusable cup?
Every day, approximately 450 single-use cups for hot beverages are served at each campus cafeteria, which generates up to 1,200kg of waste per year. With the use of these new cups, the UAB wants to contribute to reducing single-use packaging waste, lowering associated CO2 emissions, and promoting more responsible consumption.
One step closer to a sustainable campus
The UAB is a benchmark in sustainability and circular economy, as demonstrated by its Climate Policy (2024), which establishes a climate neutrality target for 2030, and the Healthy and Sustainable Campus Plan 2023-2027. This pilot programme is another step towards implementing a global system of reusable packaging in all restaurants and cafeterias on campus, which will also be extended later, to cups for cold beverages and reusable lunch trays. The aim is to reduce waste and emissions derived from everyday consumption, moving towards a sustainable university.
How does it work?
- Buy your reusable cup for only €1.50 when you order a hot beverage to go.
- Return the cup and you will receive a reusable token.
- Exchange the token for your next takeaway drink, as many times as you want and at no extra cost.