Starbucks has announced that it will not be accepting reusable cups in stores across the UK in a bid to help tackle the spread of coronavirus.
The worldwide coffee chain has confirmed that it will still honour its 25p discount for those who bring in a reusable vessel but that their drinks will all be served in paper cups. A hygiene expert told BBC News that containing the virus should be a “greater priority” than any environmental concerns but it is understood that Starbucks made the decision internally rather than based on advice from health professionals.
Starbucks’ spokesman for Europe, Robert Lynch, explained: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are pausing the use of personal cups or tumblers in our stores across the UK."
"However, we will continue to honour our 25p discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup."
He also confirmed that the usual surcharge of 5p for requesting a paper cup would also be temporarily suspended across stores during this period.
The same measures have already been implemented across US stores and in China the chain has shut over half of its 4,300 outlets.
Other companies to have followed their lead include UK train operator LNER who explained the decision was “to help prevent possible contamination from handling cups and lids”.
Great Western Railway also temporarily enforced the measures but then withdrew the policy after just a few days after it was unable to justify the reasoning behind the move. Reportedly many environmentally conscious customers had described the temporary ban as “absolutely absurd” given that trains are already a “germ hotspot”.
When the question over reusable cups was posed to Public Health England it simply responded that it’s “message is clear” that “simple hand-washing with soap for 20 seconds” is the most effective preventative measure.
A spokesperson for Costa Coffee told the BBC: "We have no plans to stop allowing the use of reusable cups in our stores, but like all retailers we are monitoring the situation closely and are following government advice and guidance."
Increased concern around Coronavirus has also caused the temporary closure of restaurants in London's Chinatown.