Blog · 10 April
Reusable cup trial in Lounge 4 a success
In February, we ran a month-long reusable cup trial in Lounge 4 at Schiphol. We carried out this trial in collaboration with our catering partners Avolta and Vermaat, waste management company Renewi, and suppliers PackBack, Cupstack and Circulware. During the trial, travellers at STACH, Urban Food Market and Urban Beans were served their hot drinks in reusable cups. They paid a €1 deposit for each cup.
After use, travellers could return the cup to one of the seven deposit machines in Lounge 4 and along the walkways to the gates. The deposit was then refunded to the traveller’s bank account via reverse debit. Schiphol is one of the first airports in Europe to carry out a trial like this.
Schiphol produces around 13,000 tonnes of waste every year. Around 70% of this comes from activities at the airport itself. To better understand where all this waste comes from, we regularly carry out research and work with partners to reduce waste at the airport.
Coffee cups are among the top five most common types of waste at the airport. Reusable cups are already being used successfully in an increasing number of places, such as railway stations. With this trial, we investigated whether this system also works well for travellers at Schiphol and whether it is clear and easy to use.
During the trial, approximately 83% of all reusable cups were returned to the deposit machines. That is higher than the 80% we had expected. In addition, some cups that travellers left on tables could be cleaned and reused. In total, more than 13,000 cups were distributed in one month.
Travellers' experiences were also positive. Many people thought it was good that Schiphol is doing this, and they indicated that this was the first time they had seen something like this at an airport. They also found it convenient that PET bottles and cans could be returned to the same machines.
Despite the positive results, there were also challenges, particularly when it came to logistics. Circular solutions require a great deal of organisation and collaboration between various parties. Installing the machines in the terminals is also quite complicated.
Nonetheless, we will be testing reusable cups at more locations at the airport in the future thanks to this successful trial. This allows us to continue learning and, together with our partners, to try to solve the logistical challenges as well.
Together, we are working towards less waste at Schiphol!