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Nearly 370 mil disposable cups used by coffee chains in Japan in 2020

47 Comments

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On the principle of the polluter pays, the companies using single use cups should be made financially responsible for the recycling of the consequent waste with the management of the company having personal liability for any failure to properly dispose of them.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

A disgusting use of harmful (from extraction through production and disposal) plastic, creating a wasteful consumer (and retailer) paradigm. Shameful.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

With most of them being incinerated, or, in the worst case, improperly disposed into the environment

Most plastics are recyclable. Why aren't governments supporting recycling these plastics? Japan wants to cut CO2 emmisions with electric cars. Do people have any idea how much CO2 is generated in garbage incinerators? Incinerated plastics produce way more carcinogens than a car.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Never once have I brought my own cup to a coffee place, and I never ever will.

-17 ( +4 / -21 )

Simple, start charging $ for CUPS like plastic shopping bags and you will start seeing progress.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Mac Japan still using plastic straws.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I think that number is far too low. How about all the convenience stores that are now selling reasonably priced coffee? I would double that number. But I'm not really sure how you can get people to bring their own cups, with hygiene being a factor, also size etc. It is a difficult thing to regulate.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Simple, start charging $ for CUPS like plastic shopping bags and you will start seeing progress.

No that simple Mark.

Let's say you feel like a convenience store coffee, how does paying an extra 5 yen or so solve the problem of carrying your coffee out of the store?

Pour it into a reusable shopping bag that you just happen to have in your pocket?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

That little taste was a free item that most people are happy to get, in tiny paper cups, and now it’s a problem? In this money grubbing, guilt for living world, erase any vestige of public civility to replace it with guilt, taxes, and now charging for cups. They collect a hefty tax already, from what seems like endless sources, that should cover in spades any issue that pops up.

For example no mention whatsoever of how much the huge collection of used masks costs to get rid of.

Green is a beautiful color, but as a philosophy, (and scam)

it sucks.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Let's say you feel like a convenience store coffee, how does paying an extra 5 yen or so solve the problem of carrying your coffee out of the store?

Pour it into a reusable shopping bag that you just happen to have in your pocket?

Many people carry cups to get their coffee now. There are even space saving collapsible cups.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

englisc aspyrgendToday  06:53 am JST

On the principle of the polluter pays, the companies using single use cups should be made financially responsible for the recycling of the consequent waste with the management of the company having personal liability for any failure to properly dispose of them.

Costs will be handed down to the end consumer.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I like cups.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Add on an extra charge like for plastic bags

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Pukey2Today  09:18 am JST

Add on an extra charge like for plastic bags

Most people will just pay the extra cost. Doesn't change a thing, except higher profit from coffee.

It’s still cheaper to make new plastic than recycle. The petroleum industry created their own recycling looking symbols that mean nothing. It’s all a scam and it’s burned in incinerators.

We live in an age of superficial, meaningless image crap.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Nothing is going to change until people have to wade through knee deep plastic to get to the konbini… to buy more stuff in plastic.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Pukey: I agree... although since they jacked up prices 25% for coffee I think offering the alternative of providing your own cup should work.

The problem is a lot of the coffee shops cut the use of personal cups when the pandemic started. I was given a Starbucks tumbler (I checked online, it cost ¥3000) and they refused to let me use it saying they only use disposable cups to prevent the spread of Covid. And yet, since it was proven it doesn't spread easily by contact, they have not allowed you to use personal cups again, I'm guessing out of convenience and they Covid thing is just an excuse, like shops that still close an hour earlier than in 2020 "because of Covid-19".

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Actually Kaldi Coffee near my house, the store that sells coffee and import food in many shopping malls, were selling packs of 100 of their disposable cups for 100yen. I am not sure if these are overstock or eliminating samples.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So if they used regular cups to serve the coffee at the stores, how much water would they have used to wash them, and dishwashing liquid to go down the drains? Seems to me there’s always going to be a problem

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

These companies use disposable cups and other utensils because they don't want to pay people to wash real cups and utensils. Disposable things are cheaper than paying people to wash. That is the problem.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Stop going out to buy coffee, you’re seriously wasting your money, not to mention the cup waste generated

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Pass a law banning plastic cups. Use recycled paper instead or cellulose. In the 1998 Winter Olympic games, the cups and plates were made partly from apples.

"In addition, the 900,000 paper plates that athletes and spectators will use are made partly with apple pulp so they will biodegrade, and plastic plates and cutlery will be recycled into oil through a special process to be performed by Hitachi Zosen. In addition, special equipment will be on hand to turn leftover food into fertilizer."

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-19-sp-209-story.html

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I have an insulated plastic coffee cup that I take to my local convini. I do it for environmental reasons but also they give you ¥10 off which is nice.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Costs will be handed down to the end consumer.

This misses the point.

Polluter pays make products and services that are bad for society/environment relatively more expensive than the same products/services offered by more responsible companies.

Added to the fact that consumers may increasingly make make informed choices and buy responsibly, the eco-friendly companies will be the winners.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Downvote me all you want.

I quit drinking coffee, my diverticulitis doesn’t like it.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

At least many shopping bags get one more use as trash bags. These just go straight in the bin.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"They should be able to promote the shift to reusable cups reasonably smoothly by introducing a new sales system such as charging for disposable cups and giving discounts to customers using reusable ones," he said.

Good luck with that. You'll need it in a nation that can't sell a banana without wrapping it in plastic.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Drinking coffee in a disposable cup is an insult to the coffee.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think they should be focusing on all the plastic generated, not the paper cups. I am sure biodegradable paper cups could be used. But the plastic is far more of a problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Doesnt include conbinis. I can imagine just as many are used there

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I prefer to support my local privately run cafes. All of them use proper cups and many have a charming retro feel.

I enjoy toasted sandwiches and my partner loves the old school parfaits and we are supporting the local economy at the same time.

Let’s ahun these beastly chains, they are destroying our cities and traditional culture.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

In most cases I want to drink coffee inside the cafe. I don’t like paper cups because for me coffee tastes better from the ceramic mugs, but in lots of cases I will get it in a paper cup even if I ordered it for “in the store” which is far from ideal. Also, regarding bringing my own cup, I don’t always have a plan to go to cafe and having extra bag just for the cup is not an option, especially during the summer. Also, there is simply no incentive for consumers to do so. The only place that I saw doing that is my local bouldering gym where if you order coffee for your own cup or get it in a mug you get cheaper price and IMHO that should be the standard.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Use biodegradable materials instead of plastic.

I think they need to speak up the move away from plastic to a non plastic durable alternative that is biodegradable or recyclable.

I believe that they are working on it...Hurry and stop supporting the oil industry would be good..it's a filthy business.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Speak up = speed up

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

So if they used regular cups to serve the coffee at the stores, how much water would they have used to wash them, and dishwashing liquid to go down the drains? Seems to me there’s always going to be a problem.

Isn't the same as any restaurant you go to and eat in? And for most people they just grab a take out coffee, so absolutely should have your own cup. No cup=no coffee (or drink in).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Most plastics are recyclable.

No they are not. Plastic recycling is a bit of a myth - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/single-use-plastic-chemical-recycling-disposal/661141/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Experience of the last few years has shown that 'urging' or 'encouraging' many businesses who make money out of damaging practices has no effect. The only way is to legislate to make them do it. With shopping bags, shops being obligated by law to charge separately for them has made a huge difference, despite the token two/five yen extra charge. Force them to charge 25 yen more for a throwaway cup, and to clearly display the policy, and you will see most customers voting with their wallets, even if they don't give a toss for the environment. Make coffee sellers by law use eco-friendlier materials for disposable cups. Make them clearly promote a meaningful discount if you order your coffee with your own flask or mug, and advertise this clearly so customers are aware of the benefit. Install new coffee machines that make it easy and safe (minimal handling) for staff to prepare the coffee directly in customers' flasks. Install eco-friendly dishwashers that use minimal water, energy and that also minimise staff handling of china cups. By law, make the conbinis do the same, and ensure that the coffee machines (when new ones are installed) make it easy to put taller flasks in them.

Those would all be proactive ways to help wean customers off one-use stuff. Many chains' goals are far too timid and slow.

At least many shopping bags get one more use as trash bags. These (cups) just go straight in the bin.

I've found, since the charge came in, my partner has finally stopped bringing home plastic bags. It does speak to people who are not too fussed about environmental damage! And as we have steadily been cutting down on the amount of one-use plastics coming into the house e.g. by bulk buying, avoiding over-packaged products, we have found our nama gomi easily fits into other plastic food bags, e.g that had potato crisps, or frozen vegetables, so at least that one-use plastic is becoming two-use. Baby steps. And the garbage collectors have no problem with taking away our rubbish in these bags.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I was disappointed when they gave me a paper cup at Starbucks when I told them I was drinking in.

Have you ever bought fireworks here? Every firework is individually wrapped in plastic. Pain in the ass getting them out especially in the dark.

So much for SDGs, eh?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nearly 370 mil recyclable cups used by coffee chains in Japan in 2020

Nearly 370 mil disposable cups used by coffee chains in Japan in 2020.

Spot the difference.

I support Greenpeace but they too should keep things real.

Encourage companies to offer a 10% discount for those folks who bring their own cups.

Softly softly should be the way forward.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

". . . giving discounts to customers using reusable ones . . ."

seems like a good idea . . . perhaps put up a large sign which says "Bring Your Own Cup" . . . .

カップ 我が 持って ください [kappu wa ga motte kudasai]

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

As someone mentioned, add the cups from convenience store drip coffee machines and that number will grow substantially.

Why don't they use paper cups for ice coffee? I get that hot coffee isn't great with paper cups but it wouldn't affect cold drinks as much. This could cut the number of plastic cups by at least 30%. Ironically, hot coffee at convenience store drip machines are served in paper cups, at least at 7-11 they are.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Simple solution. Only allow a single group of 7 customers into any coffee shop at a time, accompanied by a minder who can guide them to make sustainable choices. In a year, all the coffee shops would have gone out of business and your problem solved.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wonder what 100 million odd daily masks (a bit less than 125 million accounting for children and ecologically responsible people) times about 200 days (from April 2020 to December) of dumping disposable masks into the environment comes too? Seems around 20,000,000,000. Yikes.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Never once have I brought my own cup to a coffee place, and I never ever will.

Same here.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Never once have I brought my own cup to a coffee place, and I never ever will.

Same here.

Why not? ...that is a very environmentally unfriendly stance to take.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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