Just launched into the UK by sustainable drinkware specialist Circular&Co., in partnership with Danish food and drink tech startup kleen hub, the new TAP&REUSE is aimed at catering teams eager to combat the use of single-use cups.
“With no deposit or app required for the system to work, a wide variety of business types can easily adopt returnable cup systems. The absence of any upfront charges or complicated sign-up processes is designed to ensure high adoption and return rates, which ultimately ensures commercial viability for many organisations,” says Adam Trethewy, commercial lead at Circular&Co.
“Users of the system simply need to tap their card or phone to borrow a cup, which they can use when buying a drink from their chosen outlet.
“Thanks to its unique payment concept, TAP&REUSE does not require a holding payment to be placed on the user’s credit or debit card. A charge is only applied if the user does not return their cup within the defined period.
“The TAP&REUSE smartphone edition is a low-cost solution designed for outlets such as high-footfall cafés, attractions and events, as well as catering outlets at universities and corporate buildings.
“In fact, the scheme has the potential to work anywhere coffee is served, including hospitals and on-base catering outlets at military bases. And we are currently engaged with a number of organisations from both these backgrounds regarding a potential rollout.”
After being trialled in Brazil, the system is being introduced to the UK & Ireland, which is the first territory to use RFID technology for a seamless drop and go return system with this platform.
This marks a difference from market alternatives which are built around the back end of the system, instead using NFC tags to track cups which doesn’t allow for drop and go returns.
Trethewy says it requires only a smartphone and a portable card reader to implement, making it ‘quick and easy to deploy’.
“A barista or operator simply scans the returnable cup out via a QR code on the cup at the point of purchase, which prompts the customer to tap their card on the card reader. When the cup is returned, a simple scan is all that is needed to log the cup’s return and automatically ‘wipe’ the future transaction from the customer’s payment method.
“Cups can be returned to one central bin/return point, with the ability to ‘mass scan’, count, register and return all cups in one go. The flexibility of the system means that organisations can facilitate cup returns via standard return points, or over the counter.”
Data sits at the heart of the concept for both operators and their customers. For organisations using the concept, the RFID technology embedded into each cup enables an intelligent dashboard to track cup movements; offering a simple way to enhance CSR reporting and inventory management.
He adds that the consumer experience is also enhanced thanks to the ability to scan the cup’s QR code to quickly view how long is left to return the cup and the locations of nearby return points.
“The system’s cups can be washed and reused at least 1,000 times, all while having a carbon footprint equivalent to just two single-use paper cups. As a result, every drink served after two uses becomes carbon-negative.
“TAP&REUSE is designed to work seamless with the business’s returnable circular cups and, while Circular&Co. has more packaging types arriving in 2025 for food, adhesive tags can also be used to retrofit existing packaging.
“Returnable circular cups, however, contain embedded RFID and laser marked QR codes, both of which are tamper-proof and avoid the restrictions of using adhesive tags.
“In most cases TAP&REUSE will either break-even or deliver a commercial saving over three years, when compared to single-use and users can expect a CO2e reduction of around 70% when washing on-site. We understand that convenience is crucial to achieving high adoption and return rates, two aspects essential to a successful returnable cup scheme. Our system simply requires users to tap, enjoy and return their cup.”
He adds that with ambitious corporate ESG policies and impending legislation challenging organisations to find new ways to reduce their carbon footprint, a system like this could ‘make a monumental difference to a business’s sustainability credentials and bottom-line costs.
“The future for these businesses is returnable and we’re eager to help a variety of businesses to adopt this concept at scale.”
The system was initially piloted at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and is currently being adapted for the Brazilian market to be installed at the 73,000-seater Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Once in place, it is expected to save the venue 315,000 single-use cups per week.
Robert Dichtl, chief executive and co-founder of Kleen Hub, added: “We are excited to bring TAP&REUSE to the UK market in collaboration with Circular&Co.
“Our innovative approach simplifies the transition to reusables, making the process straightforward and cost-effective. We have developed the most convenient solution for the market to date and are eager to scale this to the UK and Ireland.”