Dunkin Donuts: Time To Change Your Coffee Cup

Dunkin Donuts' slogan is "America runs on Dunkin." They certainly hit the nail on the head with that one, as their broken up cups litter many streets that people jog on.

For years, almost all Dunkin' Donuts locations have been using disposable foam and plastic cups for their beverages. It's time that they change their ways and not only choose a more eco-friendly cup, but offer discounts for those of us who choose to reuse.

According to the DD web site, their foam cups "are safe for the consumer...By using foam, [they] are reducing the added waste that occurs with double cupping, cup sleeves and/or extra napkins. In addition, foam cups are recyclable, paper cups are not."

While they might be reducing added waste, what they are failing to mention to their customers is that most recycling centers DO NOT recycle foam and foam will take hundreds of years to break down.

As a leading coffee company, we would like to see Dunkin Donuts follow the lead of so many other smaller coffee chains and shops by taking some environmentally conscious steps with their cups.

Furthermore, there are many customers who never even use the DD foam cups, as they bring a reusable cup of their own. These customers should be given a discount, as this practice cuts down on the total cost to the company.

Dunkin Donuts' slogan is "America runs on Dunkin." They certainly hit the nail on the head with that one, as their broken up cups litter many streets that people jog on.

For years, almost all Dunkin' Donuts locations have been using disposable foam and plastic cups for their beverages. It's time that they change their ways and not only choose a more eco-friendly cup, but offer discounts for those of us who choose to reuse.

According to the DD web site, their foam cups "are safe for the consumer...By using foam, [they] are reducing the added waste that occurs with double cupping, cup sleeves and/or extra napkins. In addition, foam cups are recyclable, paper cups are not."

While they might be reducing added waste, what they are failing to mention to their customers is that most recycling centers DO NOT recycle foam and foam will take hundreds of years to break down.

As a leading coffee company, we would like to see Dunkin Donuts follow the lead of so many other smaller coffee chains and shops by taking some environmentally conscious steps with their cups.

Furthermore, there are many customers who never even use the DD foam cups, as they bring a reusable cup of their own. These customers should be given a discount, as this practice cuts down on the total cost to the company.

We, the undersigned, are asking you and your company, Dunkin Donuts, to follow the lead of so many other smaller coffee chains and shops by taking some environmentally conscious steps with your company.

For years, you have been using foam cups and saying that they "are safe for the consumer...By using foam, [they] are reducing the added waste that occurs with double cupping, cup sleeves and/or extra napkins. In addition, foam cups are recyclable, paper cups are not." (www.dunkindonuts.com)

While the foam cups might be reducing added waste, what you are failing to mention is that most recycling centers DO NOT recycle foam and foam will take hundreds of years to break down.

As a leading coffee company, we would like to see Dunkin Donuts make some immediate changes:

1. Eliminate the use of disposable foam cups for your hot beverages and choose a bio-degradable alternative.
2. Eliminate the use of disposable plastic cups for your cold beverages and choose a bio-degradable alternative.
3. Offer discounts to customers who choose to bring in their own reusable cups.

While your coffee may be some of the best in the world, you certainly aren%u2019t treating the world the best. And if you really feel like you%u2019re a leader in the coffee industry, then why not lead the coffee industry in positive change.