"Eco-Friendly Willing Participation"...Starbucks Bustling with One-Day Reusable Cup Offering

Two types of Starbucks' 'Reusable Cups'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] “The prepared stock of reusable cups was all used up by the morning, so from now on, we have no choice but to provide disposable cups. We kindly ask for the understanding and patience of our waiting customers.”

On the 28th, when an employee at a Starbucks store in Gangbuk, Seoul shouted this, sighs came from the long queue extending outside the store. Some customers hurriedly left to find other stores.

That day, Starbucks stores nationwide were much busier than usual. This was because customers wanted to receive the colorful and beautiful reusable cups provided when ordering made-to-order beverages.

Starbucks Coffee Korea held a “Reusable Cup Day” event nationwide, serving made-to-order drinks in reusable cups throughout the day. This global customer event was planned to deliver Starbucks’ sustainability values and an eco-friendly message encouraging the use of reusable cups, in celebration of Starbucks’ 50th anniversary and October 1st, “International Coffee Day.”

The event was held simultaneously in Asian countries including Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

On the 28th, a Starbucks store in Seoul is bustling with customers. Photo by Moon Hyewon

Since the event lasted only one day, consumer response was enthusiastic.

Some customers lined up 30 minutes before opening, and in central areas across Seoul, office workers attracted attention from passersby by ordering the maximum purchase limit of 20 cups per person and carrying them with both hands.

A customer in their 30s who visited the Starbucks Yeouido branch said, “I have always been very interested in environmental protection, and I think Starbucks’ event like this is definitely a good initiative,” adding, “I usually collect Starbucks tumblers every season, and I plan to take this home and include it in my personal collection.”

However, due to the situation, some people started trading these cups, which Starbucks provides for free, on online secondhand marketplaces such as Danggeun Market and Bungaejangter for 3,000 to 6,000 won.

The reusable cups come in two types: a transparent one for iced drinks and a white one for hot drinks. The green Starbucks logo prominently features the number “50,” symbolizing the 50th anniversary. Around the logo, there is a character of people holding hands.

Some customers also expressed discomfort about the longer waiting times than usual. A customer in their 20s who visited the Starbucks Sillim branch in the afternoon said, “I waited about 30 minutes. Although I ordered through Siren Order and avoided standing in line, the drinks were definitely served later than usual,” adding, “There was no separate notice in the store, so it was frustrating for a while not knowing the reason.”