Travelers looking to get a quick fix of coffee before a flight use more disposable coffee cups than you can imagine. At Gatwick airport alone, more than 7 million paper cups are used each year, with most ending up in the landfill. Aware of this striking fact, Gatwick airport is testing the UK’s first airport reusable coffee cup trial, offering passengers the opportunity to borrow and return refillable cups in a bid to help cut waste and tackle “throwaway” culture.
Customers buying hot takeaway drinks from Starbucks will have the option to borrow a free reusable cup instead of using a paper cup, which they can then drop off at a designated point before boarding their flight. The trial – starting on Monday in Gatwick’s South Terminal – will help customers reduce their disposable cup usage in a manageable “closed loop” environment that could be used in any travel hub.
