Tim Hortons is resuming the use of reusable cups and offering customers a 10-cent discount each time they do so, the brand announced on April 5.
The Restaurant Brands International brand had paused the use of reusable cups during the COVID-19 pandemic amid concerns over the spread of the virus.
Now, though, customers will once again be able to get their drink of choice in their own clean reusable cup, and Tims is extending that practice to include cold beverages as well as hot for the first time.
“We’ve been looking forward to accepting reusable cups in restaurants again and have been working hard with Tims restaurant owners to ensure we do so safely and consistently — including with cold beverages,” said Paul Yang, Tim Hortons’ senior director of innovation and sustainability, in a statement.
Yang added that in 2019, prior to the pandemic, Tims served nearly 15 million hot beverage orders in reusable cups. By offering the option to pour cold beverages into reusable cups, the potential to reduce the use of single-use plastic is even greater. “We know we can do better,” said Yang, “and we know our guests will be excited to participate with us in reducing waste.”
Tims said that, in the future, customers will be able to use the Tim Hortons app to order ahead and let the restaurant know they will be bringing their own cup. Team members will prepare the beverage in advance with a clean in-restaurant reusable cup and then transfer it to the customer’s cup upon arrival.
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In addition to its existing reusable cup products, the company will be launching a new line of stainless steel mugs, tumblers, and straws at participating restaurants at the end of the month.
Select restaurants are also in the process of reintroducing in-restaurant dishware for guests to be served with, including mugs, plates and cutlery.
