VANCOUVER — Tim Hortons has launched a re-usable and returnable cup pilot in Vancouver, in partnership with Return-It, to reduce single-use waste.
Building on a similar pilot project in Ontario last year, this one allows guests to pay a $4 deposit (plus tax) to borrow a cup from one of 10 participating restaurants. Guests can return the cup in-restaurant or at one of 11 Return-It stations located across Vancouver. Return-It will also take on the role of collecting, washing, sanitizing and returning the cups to Tim Hortons restaurants.
“We’re excited to partner with Return-It on this pilot program as we work towards making all of our guest packaging re-usable, recyclable or compostable,” says Paul Yang, senior director of Innovation and Sustainability at Tim Hortons. “Tim Hortons has been testing a number of ways to scale re-usable and returnable packaging systems, as well as increase the recyclability of single-use cups. Through this program with industry partners and the City of Vancouver, we hope to learn and develop innovative solutions for the future.”
“We are excited to be working alongside Tim Hortons and our other partners to make a quantifiable difference in keeping single-use cups out of landfills and to provide consumers with a more convenient option for re-using cups,” says John Nixon, president and CEO, Return-It. “We’re always looking for innovative solutions that will improve recovery rates and benefit British Columbians and this program will hopefully act as a scalable template that can be rolled out in other communities.”
