Two of the UK’s best-known visitor attractions are setting new standards as the pioneers of an innovative returnable cup system. Blenheim Palace and the Eden Project have made it their mission to eradicate more than 600,000 single-use coffee cups, and below, we look at how they will do it.
Blenheim Palace and Eden Project are no strangers in the fight against single-use coffee cups. The returnable cup scheme part of a series of initiatives, which has already seen the elimination of approximately 620,000 single-use coffee cups per year. To add some context, this has resulted a combined saving of 27 tonnes (26.87) of CO2e per year, which equates to heating 12 domestic homes for 12 months.
The initiative, powered by green-tech company re-universe, helps to permanently eliminate single-use cups at both visitor attractions, aligning with Blenheim Palace’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2027 and the Eden Project’s journey to becoming a climate positive organisation by 2030, which means taking more greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere than are added.
After successful pilot projects, the returnable cup scheme is now fully operational at both attractions. The groundbreaking sustainability and technology scheme is attracting huge attention from a slew of influential industry leaders and retailers, including many of the UK’s leading supermarkets who have visited Blenheim Palace to learn more.
Visitors pay a small deposit for a returnable cup, which is then returned to a reverse vending-style machine. The deposit is then refunded almost instantly upon cup return.
The technology driven scheme uses latest payment advances by Mastercard Send so that visitors get their deposit back on their preferred card simply by tapping the terminal on the return machine.
The cups are then collected, washed, and reused. This hassle-free process not only minimises waste but also encourages responsible behaviour by making sustainability an integral part of the visitor experience.
Blenheim Palace has ten goals and part of this is a commitment to addressing the climate emergency by setting the goal to become carbon neutral by 2027, and to sequester over 200,000 tonnes CO2e by 2050.
Blenheim’s Head of Innovation, David Green, said, “The returnable cup scheme is a major step towards our Net Zero pledge, and it’s hugely gratifying to be working alongside re-universe and Eden Project in leading the way for other UK tourist destinations and retailers.”
He added, “We believe climate change is the single biggest threat to Blenheim’s long-term survival, and we’re committed to doing all we can to reduce and mitigate its impacts and safeguard this World Heritage Site and its resources for future generations.”
The new machines are the latest method the Eden Project is using to transform the visitor experience when it comes to buying takeaway drinks, having introduced a returnable cup scheme in March last year (2023), eliminating any need to use single-use coffee cups.
The returnable scheme at the Eden Project is estimated to save around 220,000 single-use coffee cups per year, eliminating around 4 tonnes of waste and a 72% CO2e saving.
Becky Fenner, Hospitality Manager at Eden Project, commented, “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do here at the Eden Project and with so many visitors coming through our doors every year, it is crucial we are walking the talk and operating in as sustainable a way as we can.
“As technology improves to match our ambition, we’re delighted to be working with re-universe alongside Blenheim Palace. We are excited to see how the machines both improve the overall visitor experience when returning their cups and help provide us with data and insights to better understand the engagement and impact the scheme is having.”
Rachel Warren, CEO of re-universe, said, “Blenheim Palace and the Eden Project are setting a new standard for sustainability in the tourism industry. Their successful implementation of the returnable cup system serves as a model for other attractions, businesses and communities aiming to reduce waste and promote environmentally responsible behaviour.”
re-universe designed its returns platform to be both effective and unobtrusive. The platform ensures that the cup return process is swift and accurate, providing a user-friendly experience that fits seamlessly into the flow of a day at Blenheim Palace or the Eden Project.
The platform links payments with the individual cup, tracking its journey from sale to return and wash. This allows for seamless inventory management and gives both Blenheim and Eden access to real-time data to monitor, optimise and further enhance sustainability efforts.