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Starbucks has confirmed that it has temporarily banned the use of reusable cups in UK stores amid the coronavirus outbreak.
As part of a green initiative, the coffee chain introduced a policy to offer a 25p discount on beverages if customers chose to bring in a reusable cup, rather than use a disposable one.
But as UK cases continue to rise, the chain has said in a statement: “We are actively monitoring the situation and taking precautionary measures to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of our partners (employees) and customers.
“Out an abundance of caution, we are pausing the use of personal cups or tumblers in our stores across the UK. However, we will continue to honour our 25p discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup.”
Starbucks has also removed the 5p paper cup charge it was previously charging customers to incentivise reusables.
Other coffee chains are yet to follow suit. Costa Coffee and Caffè Nero both told HuffPost UK they currently have “no plans” to stop allowing the use of reusable cups in stores, but will monitor the situation closely.
Pret and Greggs confirmed to HuffPost UK that their current reusable cup policies had not changed, echoing plans to monitor government guidelines.
Dr Edward Wright, a senior lecturer in microbiology at the University of Sussex, explained why reusable cups might be a problem for the spread of coronavirus, or Covid-19.
“SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, is a respiratory virus. This means the virus replicates in cells that line the airways and given the proximity of the airway and mouth, new virus particles produced can readily contaminate the saliva,” he told HuffPost UK.
“Therefore, reusable cups that have not been cleaned and have the virus on their surfaces pose a potential route of transmission for respiratory infections if the cup comes into contact with the coffee machine.”
Dr Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist also based at the University of Sussex, previously told HuffPost UK that the major way for coronavirus to be transmitted is via coughs and sneezes. However, it is possible for transmission to occur from touch via contaminated surfaces – which could mean anything from self-service check-outs to coffee cups.
On the subject of coffee cups, Dr Macciochi added: “Reusable cups could be a problem for the same reason hand washing is important. We are passing things that we have handled between people and we do not know how vigilant they have been with hygiene. It only takes one virus landing on one surface to lead to transmission.”
So do we all need to stop using reusable coffee cups? Not yet, according to Dr Wright, but it’s best to exercise caution.
“Due to the high temperature of the drinks, which will rapidly cause the virus to fall apart, and the structure of the virus, which means it can only survive outside the body for hours or days, the risk of transmission via this route is likely to be low and can be nullified entirely through washing cups in hot, soapy water,” he said.
HuffPost UK contacted Public Health England (PHE) to ask what advice it is offering the public regarding the use of reusable coffee cups.
PHE did not provide a statement relating to the cups, but medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle said: “Everyone has a part to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus. Our message is clear. Simple hand washing with soap for 20 seconds is key to good hygiene and will make a real difference in stopping this virus spread and protecting yourself and those around you.”
