To reduce waste from single-use items, the City of Victoria is launching a contest that encourages coffee lovers to bring their own cups to cafés. Approximately 7,000 single-use cups are collected from public waste bins every day in Victoria. The aim of the contest is to substantially reduce the number of cups that are distributed.
“The most sustainable cup is the one you already own,” said Rory Tooke, Manager of Sustainability, Asset and Support Services with the City of Victoria. “Cups continue to be the most prolific single-use item in the City’s garbage. With that in mind, we’re working closely with local businesses to make reusable to-go mugs the norm, using a friendly challenge now to create long-term habits.”
Residents can pick up a wallet-sized stamp card from City Hall or any of the 22 participating business locations. Those taking part in the challenge can collect a stamp every time they use their own reusable cup at participating cafés between September 17 and October 18.
Each stamp qualifies as an entry into the draw to win one of five zero waste kits valued at $100 each, including gift cards and reusable products that will help reduce waste from other everyday activities.
“This initiative combines the two important goals of supporting local businesses while caring for our environment," says Shane Devereaux, owner of Habit Coffee. "Victoria residents have made bringing their own bag a common practice and now it's time to reduce our reliance on disposable cups."
Building on the success of the BYO Bag campaign started in 2018 that saw residents help eliminate the use of plastic bags in Victoria, City staff have collaborated with a focus group of local business owners to design this contest and its associated education campaign.
Making reuse the norm and limiting the distribution of single-use items are key activities in Zero Waste Victoria, the City’s plan to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent by 2040.
Today’s contest launch follows Council’s recent adoption of the Single-Use Items Reduction Bylaw on September 5 that will require restaurants to serve customers dining on-site with reusable food service ware by March 2026.
For more information about the City’s reusable cup contest, including a list of participating businesses, please visit victoria.ca/reuse or contact staff at zerowaste@victoria.ca.
Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca