Fingal Reusable Cup Project - Round Two

For almost 30 years, VOICE has had the privilege of seeing, in real time, just how engaged and enthusiastic community groups can be when they are given the support, space and time to make positive changes in their communities.

That is why we are so heartened by the news that Fingal is keeping its Reusable Cup Project going.

Most of you will remember the ambitious pilot we ran last year in Malahide and Rush. Over six months, we tested what a reusable cup system could look like on the ground.

In many ways, the project was a huge success. One café in Rush saw a 60%+ increase in the number of customers bringing their own cups. It was also the best example of reuse-on-the-go that Ireland had seen - proving that, when the system is designed well, reusables can be simple, affordable and easy for both businesses and customers.

But, as with any pilot, there were important learnings too.

And the most fundamental was this:

Without a levy, businesses have little incentive to move away from disposables, and customers have little incentive to choose reusables.

So, when the choice is there, the easy option is often to grab the single-use cup.

What’s one more going to do?

Well… we know exactly what one more can do.

Fingal took a step back after the pilot and, importantly, decided not to give up on its ambitious goal of making Fingal disposable-cup free.

While the country waits for the legislated levy on disposable cups to be enacted, Fingal has decided to focus on something that can work particularly well without one: closed-loop settings, such as sports clubs.

Because there is always a solution that can work for everyone,. if you keep trying to find it.

Bringing reuse to the sidelines

Fingal has asked VOICE to be part of Phase Two of the Fingal Reusable Cup Project, and we couldn't be happier to be involved.

Earlier this year, we opened applications to sports clubs across the county to take part. Participating clubs will be provided with branded reusable cups, featuring both the Fingal Reusable Cup Project logo and the individual sports club's logo.

The aim is simple: to help clubs kick-start their own deposit-return scheme.

Think about it. How many of us spend our evenings and weekends at sports clubs? Whether we're watching a match, bringing the kids to training, volunteering or simply cheering from the sidelines, there are few greater pleasures than having the option of a hot cuppa while you wait for the action to unfold.

And we're seeing coffee vendors popping up in clubhouses and at sports grounds all over the country.

So why not make the cup reusable?

A simple solution to a very visible problem

A deposit-return scheme makes particular sense in a sports club setting because, unlike a café or takeaway, people generally aren't taking their drinks far beyond the club grounds.

Instead, those disposable cups and their lids end up in bins around the club.

That costs clubs money twice: first to buy the disposable cups and then again to dispose of them through waste fees.

And then there is the litter.

Anyone who has spent a Saturday morning walking around a sports ground after a busy weekend will know just how much cup and lid waste can accumulate. It is a very visible reminder that our current system isn't working.

This is where reuse can make a real difference.

So, how will it work?

It's really very simple:

• No disposable cups. Clubs participating in the Fingal Reusable Cup Project will stock reusable cups instead.
• Pay a €2 deposit. When you order your favourite beverage, it will be served in a reusable cup and you'll pay an additional €2 deposit.
• Return the cup, get your €2 back. Simple.
• Or bring your own cup. If you already have a reusable cup, bring it along and avail of a discount.

That's it.

If it sounds simple, that's because it is.

And that is exactly what we want reuse to be.

The enthusiasm is contagious

We are so excited to be part of this project once again. Over the past few months, we have been travelling around Fingal visiting sports clubs, and the enthusiasm we've encountered has been overwhelming.

Time and time again, we're hearing the same thing: people are frustrated by the amount of single-use cup and lid waste generated at their clubs.

They want to do something about it.

And now they have an opportunity to do just that.

We are looking forward to launching Phase Two in two sports clubs this September, with more clubs joining the project thereafter.

The original pilot taught us a lot. It showed us what works, where the challenges are, and perhaps most importantly- that there is a real appetite for change.

Now we're taking those lessons and trying something new. Turns out, we can have our coffee and drink it!

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