Taipei, April 18 (CNA) FamilyMart has led the establishment of a multi-brand chain that provides reusable cup loan services, with a plan to open 700 outlets around Taiwan by the end of 2023.
Officially launched on Monday, the eco-friendly chain is joined by seven other local brands: Hi-Life, OKmart, TKK, cama café, Q Burger, Presotea and Let's Café PLUS, according to FamilyMart.
The cups are produced by Blue Ocean Vision, a startup that focuses on the circular economy, FamilyMart said.
According to the website of Blue Ocean Vision, people can borrow reusable cups for free at the outlets of the eight companies from April 17 to June 30. Further details about the provision of the service beyond that date are still being discussed.
FamilyMart General Manager Hsueh Tung-tu (薛東都) said the firm's efforts to promote reusable cups has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) label, and its reusable cups are now available at 440 stores around Taiwan.
However, Hsueh said the company has also concluded that it is not enough to promote reusable cups on its own. As a result, FamilyMart invited other local companies to work together offering a joint service.
Hsueh said the reusable cup loan service chain represents the first in Taiwan to be established by different industries.
Speaking of the participation of Hi-Life and OKmart, both rival local convenience store chain companies to FamilyMart, Hsueh said this proves even rivals can work with each other.
Reusable cups accounted for less than 20 percent of the 200 million beverage cups FamilyMart sells in a year, but surveys indicate that about 85 percent of customers are willing to change their habits for the sake of environmental protection, with 65 percent willing to spend more for the same reason, Hsueh said.
The inconvenience of bringing one's own cup is set to ease with more partners taking part, Hsueh said, looking forward to the addition of more partners.
The service is expected to be available at over 700 shops by the end of the year, Hsueh said.
Since the nationwide bring-your-own-cup NT$5 (US$0.16) discount took effect last July, about 16 percent of customers currently bring their own reusable cup and about 1,300 shops in Taiwan provide a reusable cup loan service, EPA official Li I-hua (李宜樺) said.
The EPA anticipates that number will double by 2024 and around 30 percent of fast food chain restaurants and convenience chain stores are expected to provide a reusable cup loan service by 2025, the official said.
