Starbucks is trialling a 5p per paper cup charge in 35 outlets across central and west London, to see if this will persuade customers to stop drinking from the single use cups and instead use, bring or buy reusable cups. Proceeds from the 5p charge will be donated to Hubbub, which will use the money to help fund other waste reduction initiatives elsewhere in London.

The coffeehouse company’s own research suggested that 48 per cent of customers would carry their own reusable cups to save money and reduce waste. Reusable cups for drinks taken away from Starbucks stores have been available for £1 since 2014; and there is a 25p discount for customers who bring their own reusable cups.

“We’re hoping this charge will remind customers to rethink their use of single-use plastic-lined cups, as it has with plastic bags,” said Simon Redfern, vice-president of communications for Starbucks Europe. “We’ve offered a reusable cup discount for 20 years, with only 1.8 per cent of customers currently taking up this offer, so we’re really interested in working with Hubbub to see how this charge could help to change behaviour and help to reduce waste.”

Starbucks has over 240 outlets in Greater London, among 850 in the UK and more than 27,000 worldwide.

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