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As a nation of tea and coffee lovers, we get through a staggering number of disposable cups – around 2.5 billion every year in the UK.
While they’re cheap and convenient, many takeaway cups contain plastic to keep them waterproof. This means they can’t be recycled through standard facilities. And although specialised recycling programmes are more widely available now, many cups still end up in landfill.
We explore how much you could save – both financially and environmentally – by switching to a reusable eco-cup.
With plastic pollution rising, many UK coffee shops are rewarding customers who bring their own cups.
While the cheapest way to enjoy hot drinks is to make them at home, we know that’s not always practical – and sometimes you just fancy a treat! So, we’ve rounded up the best reusable cup discounts on offer.
Prices vary by location, so check drink prices locally and deduct the discount to work out the best-value deal.
In no particular order:
Caffè Nero gives you two loyalty stamps instead of one when you use a reusable coffee cup.
They’ve also partnered with KeepCup to offer a fully recyclable branded cup (£11), which they claim could save around 4kg of CO₂ per year if used regularly.
You’d need to buy 50 drinks to cover the cost of their branded cup, but after that, you could save around £78 a year (based on 5 drinks a week).
Costa now offers an extra bean stamp on your loyalty card when you use a reusable cup of your choice. With their Costa Club loyalty scheme, you collect 8 beans to get a free drink of your choice, making each bean worth approximately 1/8 of a drink's value.
You can buy a reusable mug for just £5. If your average Costa drink costs £4, each bean is worth about 50p – meaning you’d only need to buy 10 drinks to 'earn back' your cup. After that, you could save around £65 a year (based on 5 drinks a week).
Costa has discontinued their 'Clever Cup' and replaced it with a new 'EcoPay' cup (£18), which integrates with their mobile app for contactless payments up to £50.
Branded cup £3
Starbucks gives you 25p off when you bring any reusable cup. On top of that, they charge 5p per disposable paper cup, meaning you’re effectively saving 30p per drink.
Their basic reusable cup costs £3 – so it would only take 10 drinks to make your money back.
Certain eateries across the UK have also joined the recycling revolution by taking money off when you bring your own cup.
Branded cup £12
Pret a Manger give you 50p off hot and cold barista-served drinks when you use an eco-cup. They doubled the discount in 2018 from 25p and have maintained this generous offer since.
They’ve also revamped their subscription service. The old model offering unlimited drinks has been replaced with Club Pret – a membership that gives you 50% off up to five barista-made drinks per day. The subscription costs £10 a month. You’ll need to use a reusable cup to get the full benefit of your discount.
Branded cup £3.50
Greggs are offering 25p off hot drinks when you use an eco-cup. They're also selling a Greggs branded mug for just £3.50.
Greggs works with a specialist recycling scheme, allowing customers to return used disposable cups to stores for proper recycling.
Branded cup £5
M&S cafés offer 30p off hot drinks when you bring your own mug. You can also buy an M&S-branded travel cup for £5.
They’ve also extended their eco-friendly initiative to food – offering 30p off when you bring your own containers to the fresh food counters.
Black Sheep Coffee is one of the more generous chains, offering 45p off when you use a reusable cup. Their branded cups start from £7.50.
💡Tip: Many independent cafés now match or exceed chain discounts, with some offering up to 50p off. Just remember – you only save money if you’re not buying extra drinks just for the discount.
If you already have a reusable cup at home, now’s the time to dig it out. Most coffee shops accept any reusable mug, not just their own branded versions.
The more you spend on a cup, the longer it’ll take to earn your money back – but a good one can last for years with proper care.
Many reusable cups now come with QR codes that link to loyalty apps or track environmental impact. Some even display “carbon saved per use” to show your positive contribution.
Most branded cups are now made from plant-based materials or recycled ocean plastics, reducing their overall environmental footprint.
Whichever mug you choose, you’ll be helping the planet from your first coffee – and saving cash too. That money could go towards a rainy-day fund or just treat yourself to marshmallows and cream on your hot chocolate.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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