Refill Reading is a grassroots campaign started by Transition Town Reading. We are aiming to reduce the amount of disposable coffee cups going to landfill by encouraging people in our town to use reusable cups in cafes.  This project has the support of both Reading Borough Council and a number of cafes across Reading.

Why are we doing this?

It is estimated that in the UK, over seven million disposable cups are handed out by cafes every day, or approximately 2.5 billion annually. Most of these cups are not recyclable due to the plastic lining within the paper cup, and so the waste cups go to landfill, where they may take up to thirty years to break down. For more information see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36882799

So what’s the solution? If you want a coffee on the go, bring your own cup! No excuse for single use!

What are we doing?

Our campaign has two main elements:

• Encouraging and promoting the use of reusable cups through discounts at local cafes

Not only is it good for the planet, it’s good for your wallet too! Participating local cafes are offering discounts for takeaway drinks if you bring your own cup. Typical discounts are 20p per drink (note this does vary with cafe). Cafes offering discounts have the Refill Reading logo (top of the page) in the window.

• Selling Refill Reading reusable cups 

We are selling Refill Reading reusable Ecoffee cups through participating local cafes. Ecoffee cups are made from sustainable, naturally organic, naturally sterile bamboo fibre. The bamboo is sourced from sustainably managed plantations in China. The lid and sleeve are made from food-grade silicone. The cups are 12oz in size and are  light, hard-wearing and dishwasher safe (though not suitable for microwave use).

 

Who is involved?

Cafes across Reading are part of the scheme, including:

• Nomad Bakery
• Picnic Foods
• Shed
• Boswells Cafe
• Nibsy’s Coffee Shop
• Palmer’s Cafe (Reading Museum)
• The Hexagon Cafe
• Sparks Cafe (SSE offices)
• Parkside Cafe
• Waring’s Bakery (multiple cafes across Reading)
• Ground Up Cafe (Reading Climbing Centre)
• MERL (Museum of English Rural Life)

You can find your nearest Refill Reading cafe on our interactive map below.

 

Funding

We have kindly received funding for the scheme from Reading Borough Council through the Reading Climate Action Network.

Further Questions or Suggestions?

Contact us at Refillreading@gmail.com

Logo

Our logo was created by talented local graphic designer Jodie Bean.