Around 50 billion disposable drink cups are used every year in the US, but in the city of Petaluma, we will see if Americans have the discipline to reduce this footprint.
The city numbers around 60,000 people, and will participate in the Reuseable Cup Project. The aim is to furnish 30 local restaurants, from Starbucks to Taco Bell, with identical, durable, plastic drink cups, which customers and diners can use and then either leave on the table, or deposit in a network of dropoff bins around the city.
…Petaluma’s residents will not be charged a penny more for their drinks…
YET.
There is no way this program can so much as break even without someone paying the bills.
Even if all the employees are volunteers, trucks that empty the bins and deliver the cups, plus washing equipment for said cups, rent for the space to house the trucks and washing equipment, maintenance, utilities, etc., aren’t free.
Don’t get me wrong. I’d like to see this program succeed and expand. Without knowing more about how they’re funded, though, I’m skeptical.
