We’ve joined forces with Circular & Co and City to Sea to cut single-use cup waste at every Curator café. Loan a sustainably designed cup for just £3.50, refill it again and again, then swap it back for a clean one—and earn 15 pence off each time. Together, we can save thousands of paper cups, one sip at a time.
Collaborating for a sustainable future
To build our system, we partnered with the team behind the original returnable cup: Circular&Co. Their UK-designed cups are built to last 500+ uses and are fully recyclable at the end of their life. With their support – and guidance from City to Sea – we’ve introduced a simple, effective loop to help reduce waste in our community.
HOW IT WORKS
Loan a returnable cup for £3.50 when you order a takeaway drink.
Next time, bring it back and we’ll swap it for a clean one.
You’ll also get 15p off your drink.
Want out? Return the cup and lid to any of our caffès to redeem a free tea or coffee.
FAQ
Where do the cups come from?
Our returnable cups are designed and manufactured by Cornwall-based Circular & Co, specialists in sustainable cup systems.
Why partner with Circular & Co?
Circular & Co have invested years of research into creating a truly circular cup. Made from 100 % home-recyclable polypropylene, each cup is dishwasher-safe, stackable, and rated for 500 + uses.
I already have a reusable cup—can I use it?
Absolutely. Bring your own reusable cup to any Curator caffè, order your drink as usual at the counter, and we’ll fill it for you—with a 15 pence discount on your beverage as our thanks.
I don’t have a reusable cup—how do I join the scheme?
Simply pay a £3.50 refundable loan fee for a Circular & Co cup and lid, and we’ll serve your drink in a clean returnable cup. Return it (cup + lid) at any time to redeem a free coffee or tea.
Will the cup keep my drink hot?
The cup features a heat-diffusing, ribbed exterior to protect your hands. It retains heat similarly to a paper cup, but it isn’t insulated like a thermal mug.
Can I still drink in a ceramic cup?
Yes—nothing changes for dine-in. All in-caffè orders will continue to be served in our ceramic cups.
Will you still use paper takeaway cups?
During our transition period, we will serve takeaway drinks in paper cups alongside the returnable scheme.
Can I reuse the same cup I brought in?
For health and hygiene, each returned cup and lid is washed in our commercial dishwasher, then reused fresh. You always receive a fully sanitised cup for your next drink.
How are the cups cleaned?
We wash every cup and lid in the same dishwasher cycle as our crockery, ensuring each one is sanitised and ready for reuse.
Is there a discount for borrowing multiple cups?
Each cup loan is £3.50—there’s no multi-cup discount.
Can I borrow just the cup without a lid?
The cup and lid are a matched loan pair. You must return both together to reclaim your free drink.
Why are all cup sizes the same price?
Cup production costs are identical regardless of size, so we keep the loan fee consistent whether you choose small or large.
Do I have to return the cup to the same caffè?
No—you can return your cup and lid to any Curator caffè for your free drink.
What if my cup breaks?
You can recycle a damaged cup at home. Broken cups cannot be redeemed for a free drink.
What happens if I lose my cup?
Lost cups unfortunately cannot be replaced under the loan scheme, and you won’t be able to claim a free drink without returning both cup and lid.