Starbucks to trial paper cup charge in central London stores

The trial, in 20-25 stores, will initially last three months and all money raised will be donated to environmental charity Hubbub. The results will then be assessed before further steps are taken.

Starbucks says that as well as introducing the charge, it will also increase efforts to ensure customers drinking in store are always offered a ceramic cup, to cut paper use further.

The announcement comes after MPs called for a 25p "latte levy" on disposable coffee cups.

A report by the Environmental Audit Committee released today says the tax should be used to improve the UK's recycling and reprocessing facilities. 

Starbucks currently offers customers a 25p discount on drink orders if they bring their own reusable cup.

How can you get a discount on your coffee order?

Many coffee shops including Costa, Pret and Starbucks offer a discount if you take a reusable cup with you.

Starbucks currently offers a discount of 25p at any Starbucks store or counter, including at cinemas and train stations.

You can use any brand of reusable cup in each store, but the cheapest and easiest way is to buy a £1 reusable plastic cup at Starbucks, marked with a line for its 350ml size (known as 'tall' at Starbucks). We've taken this Starbucks cup into other stores and it worked fine.

For more information on cutting coffee costs, see our blog: Pay £1, get up to 50p off most Costa, Pret & Starbucks drinks EVERY time.

Which stores will the trial be running in?

Starbucks will be trialling and promoting the 5p cup charge in 20-25 central London stores.

It says it doesn't yet have information on exactly which stores will be included in the trial.

What does Starbucks say?

Starbucks' website states: "Ever since we opened in the UK, 20 years ago, we have looked at ways to encourage and support the use of reusable cups.

"We recognise that there is growing concern about the number of single-use paper cups being used and that our customers are interested in ways that we can help them reduce, reuse and recycle.

"To that end we will be exploring the impact that a cup charge may have in changing behaviour in addition to the measures we, and the whole industry, are taking on cup recycling."