We all know that switching away from single-use towards reusables is the best environmental outcome. However, when it comes to your business, there are also considerations of cost, time and resources required.
This simple guide will help you determine what's right for you and your business.
Cost vs benefit
Let's compare the cost difference and savings between single-use cups and reusable cups, using four popular reuse options. You can apply this example to containers and other foodware as well.
Note: the comparison below is based on an average cost of popular packaging suppliers with available online pricing. Prices may vary and it is essential you conduct your own cost comparison and pricing search.
Let's calculate an example of potential savings below, based on 1500 takeaway drinks per week, with 50% sold in reusable cups.
Adjust the amounts according to your own costs and sales.
The Keep Cup Impact Calculator is another handy tool here - while you can't adjust the price of single-use (set at $0.20), it also gives you savings on plastic, CO2 and energy.
Comparing options in more detail
The next step is to consider your reuse options in terms of the time and resources to support their introduction and ongoing maintenance.
These may also be considered ‘costs’, so it’s important to weigh them up as well.
Let’s look at them in more detail:
If you're new to reusables, encouraging BYO and dine in is a great place to begin, and simple signage supported by some social media promotion may be all you need to start seeing the savings.
From there, you can choose to increase your offerings by adding on a swap system or library, and providing incentives and other opportunities (like selling reusables to your customers).
If you’d like more detailed information and implementation guides for each reusable option, see our guide library.
Please note: the content of this guide is the advice of Boomerang Alliance. It may not reflect the view of your state government and you are encouraged to seek your own independent advice. Boomerang Alliance is an impartial non-profit organisation, and we don't benefit commercially from any information we provide, or brands or products we identify.
