The day earlier than Worldwide Espresso Day, on September 30, Costa Espresso launched a blockchain-powered reusable cup scheme, dubbed BURT, which goals to encourage extra sustainable behaviors amongst customers.
BURT – (Borrow, Use, Reuse, Take Again) – launched in 14 shops throughout Glasgow, Scotland, and can final till March 2022.
The British coffeehouse chain will use the trial to realize suggestions from clients and research their uptake and habits in the direction of reusable cups. These findings will then be used to optimize and create a scheme that can roll out throughout the UK in phases.

How Does BURT Work?
Prospects who wish to take part within the trial should first arrange an account to affix BURT by scanning a QR code displayed in one of many 14 collaborating places. Subsequent, clients make a never-to-be-repeated £5 cost to affix the scheme. Then, they’ll rapidly scan the QR code on a BURT cup, linking the cup to the client’s account through blockchain know-how. Lastly, they’ll pay on the check-out as they often would.
After clients get pleasure from their espresso, they’ll return the cup at any collaborating Costa Espresso retailer, the place it will likely be scanned again in, delinked from their account, and hygienically machine-washed, prepared for the subsequent pleased buyer. Prospects will obtain a brand new BURT cup with every new order.

Neil Lake, Managing Director of Costa Espresso United Kingdom and Eire, commented:
Our clients imagine passionately in with the ability to make selections that assist them do their bit to guard the atmosphere. Our precedence at Costa Espresso is to supply handy, efficient options whereas persevering with to serve great-tasting, completely crafted espresso. We’re excited to be the primary nationwide espresso firm to offer an answer like BURT, to additional incentivize the uptake of reusable cups in our shops.
Alongside our newly launched Costa Espresso Membership provide of a free drink for each 4 drinks purchased in a reusable cup, we hope this trial will present one other approach ahead in serving to to cut back waste whereas enhancing buyer expertise. It can additionally assist us perceive extra about how the UK excessive avenue can cleared the path in guaranteeing the long-term environmental sustainability of our planet.
Blockchain Platform
The scheme is being run in partnership with the Wokingham-based digital company, Austella on its blockchain-powered Valari platform. The trial is designed to cut back single-use cups and make it simpler for patrons to be eco-conscious, even when they’ve forgotten their reusable cups. This manner, they’ll nonetheless decide up their to-go espresso with out waste. The system can also be ideally suited for these preferring to not carry their very own cup round each single day.

Mark Cundle, the CEO of Austella, stated:
Austella is delighted to be working with Costa Espresso to launch the trial of BURT and believes passionately within the function blockchain know-how can play in serving to companies scale back their environmental impression and make it simpler for customers to make sustainable selections.
One fast scan of a QR code and Costa clients will be capable of get pleasure from their favourite espresso in a reusable cup, earlier than dropping it again for the subsequent buyer to make use of, decreasing single-use waste.
Excessive-High quality Cups
The BURT cups are comprised of high-quality chrome steel, making them sturdy, long-lasting, and simple to scrub in Costa’s in-store dishwashers. They’ll maintain 8oz, 12oz, and 16oz drinks. As a bonus, BURT cups additionally match with Costa Categorical machines, permitting clients to get pleasure from completely crafted Costa espresso wherever they’re, guilt-free.

Broader Initiative
Barry Fisher, the CEO of Maintain Scotland Stunning, commented:
Glasgow has been the point of interest for a raft of labor to deal with cup waste through our Cup Motion in Glasgow marketing campaign, so we’re delighted to see this revolutionary trial happening within the metropolis. Efficient reuse options are important to decreasing waste, altering the best way we eat, and addressing the local weather emergency.
Costa Espresso can also be collaborating in a broader initiative to extend reuse and recycling charges in-store, in partnership with Glasgow Metropolis Council, Maintain Scotland Stunning, and different key espresso retailers.