Piloted in 2018, the Reuse Race is the brain child of former student volunteers Lenka Krikavova and Edoardo Federici.
The initiative was to promote behavioural change through rewarding a collective action. This action was to encourage more people to ditch the disposable coffee cup and opt for refilling a reusable within our campus outlets. The standard discount for bringing a reusable cup is 10p, with the sales of drinks in reusable cups only at 6.6%.
The target, was to reach 15% of reusable drink sales, and with every extra 5% reached, a higher discount was given to a final 50p off a hot drink. The project was a success, doubling the reusable sales in only a couple of months. The project was also became a finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2018 (Food & Drink category).
A downloadable case study provides more information about the pilot. What does the future hold? The sales of drinks in reusable cups increased to 20% as of 2021, a positive increase, but more needs to be done. We are looking at a permanent rewarding programme, with an increase of sales resulting in a higher discount the next month, and dropping if it fails. This should result in higher sales, and more information will be provided on the success of this programme.
Email sustainability@gre.ac.uk for information.
