Dunkin Donuts phasing out foam cups by 2020

[mbcdefg]

About freaking time.

(BTW, this is a DD press release, hence the superlative language. Here's a Chicago Tribune link: www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-dunkin-donuts-foam-cups-20180207-story.html)


Dunkin’ Donuts to Eliminate Foam Cups Worldwide in 2020


New double-walled paper cups to phase into U.S. restaurants beginning spring 2018



news.dunkindonuts.com/news/dunkin-donuts-to-eliminate-foam-cups-worldwide-in-2020 


As part of its commitment to serve both people and the planet responsibly, Dunkin’ Donuts, a leading retailer of hot, brewed coffee, today announced plans to eliminate all polystyrene foam cups in its global supply chain beginning in spring 2018, with a targeted completion date of 2020. In U.S. restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts will replace the foam cup with a new, double-walled paper cup. The majority of Dunkin’ Donuts’ international markets are currently using paper cups, and the brand will work with its franchisees to eliminate foam cups from the remaining international markets by the 2020 goal.



The move complements Dunkin’ Donuts’ earlier commitments in the U.S. to have 80% of fiber-based consumer-facing packaging certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard by the end of this year; eliminate artificial dyes from its menu; build new, more energy-efficient restaurants; and partner with the Rainforest Alliance to source certified coffee.


The new, double-walled paper cup is already in use at Dunkin’ Donuts’ next generation concept store, which opened in mid-January in the company’s birthplace of Quincy, Mass. It will be introduced at all Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in New York City and California in spring 2018, and will be phased in across the U.S. as supplier manufacturing capabilities ramp up.



The double-walled paper cup is made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and will feature the current re-closable lid that Dunkin’ customers know and love. Like Dunkin’ Donuts’ current hot beverage offerings, the new double-walled paper cup will come in four sizes -- small, medium, large and extra-large -- and will be used for all of the brand’s hot beverages, including coffee, lattes, macchiatos, tea and hot chocolate. With heat retention properties equal to the company’s foam cup, the new double-walled paper cup will keep beverages hot while keeping hands cool, without the need for a sleeve.

[bugandbibs]

I didn't realize that polystyrene foam was still so widely used. It's been banned here for almost 20 years. You can use certain types of CFC foam for foods, but I couldn't tell you the last time I saw any kind of foam in food service.

ETA- I am really old.  Almost 30 years, lol.

[msmerymac]

Feb 7, 2018 16:24:44 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

I didn't realize that polystyrene foam was still so widely used. It's been banned here for almost 20 years. You can use certain types of CFC foam for foods, but I couldn't tell you the last time I saw any kind of foam in food service.

ETA- I am really old.  Almost 30 years, lol.

I almost have an aneurysm every time someone says, "What?! If there's no styrofoam, what will we use for take out containers?"

Well gee, CA has been using those tin pie plates with the cardboard lids for decades, no styrofoam in sight. I don't need a freaking insulated container that takes 5000 years to break down in a landfill in order to take home my chips and guacamole. 

[raangoli]

My first thought was why is this taking 4 years. Then I realized I’m living in the past.

But two years? It’s going to take that long for suppliers to ramp up? I suppose it’s a lot of cups...but dang.

[Deleted]

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

[AAM2012]

Feb 7, 2018 16:55:25 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

Those are fighting words.....

But glad to hear, although I do use my reusable cup.

[rjamz]

Feb 7, 2018 16:55:25 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

Seriously.

Though I wonder if that’s because it always tastes like styrofoam...

[mbcdefg]

Feb 7, 2018 23:42:52 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Feb 7, 2018 16:55:25 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

Those are fighting words.....

But glad to hear, although I do use my reusable cup.

A few weeks ago I asked them to fill my reusable mug ... so they made the coffee in a styrofoam cup then poured it into the mug.

Facepalm

[seeyalater52]

Well, Boston has completely gone off the rails with this announcement lol.

I’m really glad. It’s incredibly wasteful. But I dont drink coffee and mostly get Starbucks for my drinks of choice.

[starburst604]

My H happened to stop in that “concept store” Dunks yesterday, and hadn’t heard this news yet. So he was given the new cup, and they have cold brew on tap or something (I don’t drink coffee so I don’t even really understand). Anyway I’m happy for this change and he says the paper cup works great.

[AAM2012]

Feb 8, 2018 6:27:00 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Feb 7, 2018 23:42:52 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Those are fighting words.....

But glad to hear, although I do use my reusable cup.

A few weeks ago I asked them to fill my reusable mug ... so they made the coffee in a styrofoam cup then poured it into the mug.

Facepalm

That might be related to the health code rules (whatever the agency is..) because that happened to me once for a water. Guy said he couldn’t put the ice and water directly into my cup.

[lilafowler]

Feb 8, 2018 6:54:58 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

My H happened to stop in that “concept store” Dunks yesterday, and hadn’t heard this news yet. So he was given the new cup, and they have cold brew on tap or something (I don’t drink coffee so I don’t even really understand). Anyway I’m happy for this change and he says the paper cup works great.

Lol. I can walk there from my house. I’ve been getting nitro coffees way too much.

It makes me laugh because there’s a “full” DD a half mile up the street (and one over the bridge on the Weymouth side as well).

Come on Dunkachusetts-do we really need THAT many? 😂

[snshne322]

I got a paper cup a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised!

[Deleted]

Feb 8, 2018 7:19:09 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Feb 8, 2018 6:27:00 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

A few weeks ago I asked them to fill my reusable mug ... so they made the coffee in a styrofoam cup then poured it into the mug.

Facepalm

That might be related to the health code rules (whatever the agency is..) because that happened to me once for a water. Guy said he couldn’t put the ice and water directly into my cup.

I'm sure it can be done without using a disposable cup. Starbucks will make me espresso drinks in my reusable cup without wasting a paper cup. I've had restaurants fill my water bottle without wasting a disposable cup.

[penguingrrl]

Feb 8, 2018 7:19:09 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Feb 8, 2018 6:27:00 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

A few weeks ago I asked them to fill my reusable mug ... so they made the coffee in a styrofoam cup then poured it into the mug.

Facepalm

That might be related to the health code rules (whatever the agency is..) because that happened to me once for a water. Guy said he couldn’t put the ice and water directly into my cup.

That doesn’t sound right at all. All the coffee shops I know of let you use a reusable cup without them wasting a disposable one. Many even give a few cents off for those who do.

[Velar Fricative]

Feb 7, 2018 16:55:25 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

We're in a fight right now.

[icedcoffee]

We got the paper cups here in the DC area a while ago. When they changed to it they also changed the shape of the lid and the first time I got one the lid had a jagged edge so it wasn't that comfortable to drink out of. I filled out the survey using the code on the bottom of the receipt (you get a free donut, yo!) and I informed them that the new lid hurt my lip. They called me within the next couple hours to make sure I was ok. LOL I haven't had issues with the lid since so I think it was a faulty cup. I love me some Dunks.

[katie80]

Feb 8, 2018 9:11:58 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Feb 8, 2018 7:19:09 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

That might be related to the health code rules (whatever the agency is..) because that happened to me once for a water. Guy said he couldn’t put the ice and water directly into my cup.

That doesn’t sound right at all. All the coffee shops I know of let you use a reusable cup without them wasting a disposable one. Many even give a few cents off for those who do.

I'm sure this isn't right but it wouldn't surprise me at all if my local Dunkin said it. Last summer I got an iced coffee with milk in a reusable mug, and they told me they weren't allowed to stir it for me. (that only happened one time. But what?)

[penguingrrl]

Feb 8, 2018 9:15:59 GMT -5 katie80 said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:11:58 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

That doesn’t sound right at all. All the coffee shops I know of let you use a reusable cup without them wasting a disposable one. Many even give a few cents off for those who do.

I'm sure this isn't right but it wouldn't surprise me at all if my local Dunkin said it. Last summer I got an iced coffee with milk in a reusable mug, and they told me they weren't allowed to stir it for me. (that only happened one time. But what?)

That’s so weird.

[Deleted]

Feb 8, 2018 9:15:59 GMT -5 katie80 said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:11:58 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

That doesn’t sound right at all. All the coffee shops I know of let you use a reusable cup without them wasting a disposable one. Many even give a few cents off for those who do.

I'm sure this isn't right but it wouldn't surprise me at all if my local Dunkin said it. Last summer I got an iced coffee with milk in a reusable mug, and they told me they weren't allowed to stir it for me. (that only happened one time. But what?)

Well, this is one of my major frustrations with DD. LET ME PUT MY OWN MILK IN MY COFFEE. I do not like trusting someone else to do this. Also, I go so rarely that when I say I want cream and they ask, "How many?" I'm like, "HOW THE FUCK DO I KNOW? I GO BY COLOR, MOTHERFUCKER, JUST HAND ME THE GODDAMNED MILK JUG!"

I need minimal interaction with other humans before my second cup of coffee.

[penguingrrl]

Feb 8, 2018 9:30:09 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:15:59 GMT -5 katie80 said:

I'm sure this isn't right but it wouldn't surprise me at all if my local Dunkin said it. Last summer I got an iced coffee with milk in a reusable mug, and they told me they weren't allowed to stir it for me. (that only happened one time. But what?)

Well, this is one of my major frustrations with DD. LET ME PUT MY OWN MILK IN MY COFFEE. I do not like trusting someone else to do this. Also, I go so rarely that when I say I want cream and they ask, "How many?" I'm like, "HOW THE FUCK DO I KNOW? I GO BY COLOR, MOTHERFUCKER, JUST HAND ME THE GODDAMNED MILK JUG!"

I need minimal interaction with other humans before my second cup of coffee.

OMG yes, they never get it right! I’ll say milk and they’ll put cream (which I can’t stand, even while milk is too thick and creamy for me and ruins my coffee). And a few times they’ve added sugar, which makes it undrinkable to me! I don’t like their coffee to begin with, but then they manage to somehow make it taste even worse!

[mbcdefg]

Feb 8, 2018 8:54:59 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Feb 8, 2018 7:19:09 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

That might be related to the health code rules (whatever the agency is..) because that happened to me once for a water. Guy said he couldn’t put the ice and water directly into my cup.

I'm sure it can be done without using a disposable cup. Starbucks will make me espresso drinks in my reusable cup without wasting a paper cup. I've had restaurants fill my water bottle without wasting a disposable cup.

Starbucks has also done the "pour it in a paper cup then pour it in my mug" thing, so I wonder if it's just personal preference or someone not bothering to follow a standard rule.

I usually bring coffee from home when I go to work. Our favorite local coffee place serves them in regular mugs ... I'm not sure if they'd fill my Klean Kanteen if I ordered to-go coffee but I can't see why not. It's completely out of my way when I'm commuting to work so I've never tried it.

[cattledogkisses]

Feb 8, 2018 9:33:58 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:30:09 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Well, this is one of my major frustrations with DD. LET ME PUT MY OWN MILK IN MY COFFEE. I do not like trusting someone else to do this. Also, I go so rarely that when I say I want cream and they ask, "How many?" I'm like, "HOW THE FUCK DO I KNOW? I GO BY COLOR, MOTHERFUCKER, JUST HAND ME THE GODDAMNED MILK JUG!"

I need minimal interaction with other humans before my second cup of coffee.

OMG yes, they never get it right! I’ll say milk and they’ll put cream (which I can’t stand, even while milk is too thick and creamy for me and ruins my coffee). And a few times they’ve added sugar, which makes it undrinkable to me! I don’t like their coffee to begin with, but then they manage to somehow make it taste even worse!

I can't tell you how many times I've asked for one cream, and the coffee comes out, like, dark white.  Lol.  That's not coffee with cream, that's cream with coffee. 

Apparently the amount of cream in "one cream" is subjective. 

[audette]

Feb 8, 2018 9:22:49 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:15:59 GMT -5 katie80 said:

I'm sure this isn't right but it wouldn't surprise me at all if my local Dunkin said it. Last summer I got an iced coffee with milk in a reusable mug, and they told me they weren't allowed to stir it for me. (that only happened one time. But what?)

That’s so weird.

Nah.  That's good food safety.  They don't know if the reusable cup has been drunk out of since it was last washed.  And most coffeeshops re-use their stir spoons (they rinse them off, but do reuse them).  So they can't put the spoon into your cup without having to do a full wash on the spoon after.

Now, they coud use a disposable stir-stick.  Or they could have a collection of spoons to swap in a fresh one after each re-usable cup has been done.  But, I'd be grossed out if they were OK with stirring with the same spoon after using it in someone's reusable mug.

[meshaliuknits]

Feb 8, 2018 9:41:11 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Feb 8, 2018 8:54:59 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

I'm sure it can be done without using a disposable cup. Starbucks will make me espresso drinks in my reusable cup without wasting a paper cup. I've had restaurants fill my water bottle without wasting a disposable cup.

Starbucks has also done the "pour it in a paper cup then pour it in my mug" thing, so I wonder if it's just personal preference or someone not bothering to follow a standard rule.

I usually bring coffee from home when I go to work. Our favorite local coffee place serves them in regular mugs ... I'm not sure if they'd fill my Klean Kanteen if I ordered to-go coffee but I can't see why not. It's completely out of my way when I'm commuting to work so I've never tried it.

It's happened to me at Peets, but only when I order something fancier than plain coffee or a latte. I'm pretty sure it's generally a miscomunication between the person I hand my cup to & who makes my drink. They do rinse my cup out with hot water 100% of the time, though.

[audette]

Feb 8, 2018 9:12:38 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Feb 7, 2018 16:55:25 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Dunkin Donuts coffee sucks anyway.

We're in a fight right now.

Meh.  Coffee sucks.


Tea for lyfe!

[mrsd2006]

On a somewhat related note, does anyone use biodegradable drinking straws that they would recommend? I'm trying to give up plastic straws. I see a lot on Amazon but I don't really want something that is printed, just a plain straw.

[penguingrrl]

Feb 8, 2018 9:55:21 GMT -5 audette said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:22:49 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

That’s so weird.

Nah.  That's good food safety.  They don't know if the reusable cup has been drunk out of since it was last washed.  And most coffeeshops re-use their stir spoons (they rinse them off, but do reuse them).  So they can't put the spoon into your cup without having to do a full wash on the spoon after.

Now, they coud use a disposable stir-stick.  Or they could have a collection of spoons to swap in a fresh one after each re-usable cup has been done.  But, I'd be grossed out if they were OK with stirring with the same spoon after using it in someone's reusable mug.

Stirring multiple different drinks with a spoon seems like a good way to risk contaminating someone with allergies. When I worked at Starbucks that definitely wasn’t something we were allowed to do.

[icedcoffee]

Feb 8, 2018 10:04:10 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Feb 8, 2018 9:55:21 GMT -5 audette said:

Nah.  That's good food safety.  They don't know if the reusable cup has been drunk out of since it was last washed.  And most coffeeshops re-use their stir spoons (they rinse them off, but do reuse them).  So they can't put the spoon into your cup without having to do a full wash on the spoon after.

Now, they coud use a disposable stir-stick.  Or they could have a collection of spoons to swap in a fresh one after each re-usable cup has been done.  But, I'd be grossed out if they were OK with stirring with the same spoon after using it in someone's reusable mug.

Stirring multiple different drinks with a spoon seems like a good way to risk contaminating someone with allergies. When I worked at Starbucks that definitely wasn’t something we were allowed to do.

I worked at Starbucks in 2008.  We definitely only rinsed spoons between drinks.  We had a little bin of water near the espresso machines and the spoons just went back into the bin of water between cups.  Every hour or so we would change out the water.  Spoons were run through the dishwasher once or twice a day.  

[penguingrrl]

Feb 8, 2018 10:08:07 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Feb 8, 2018 10:04:10 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Stirring multiple different drinks with a spoon seems like a good way to risk contaminating someone with allergies. When I worked at Starbucks that definitely wasn’t something we were allowed to do.

I worked at Starbucks in 2008.  We definitely only rinsed spoons between drinks.  We had a little bin of water near the espresso machines and the spoons just went back into the bin of water between cups.  Every hour or so we would change out the water.  Spoons were run through the dishwasher once or twice a day.  

Interesting. The one I worked at had spoons as single use items.