Reusable cups FAQs
The British Library is working on ways to phase out the use of disposable paper cups for our hot drinks. To support this, the Upper Ground Café is introducing a reusable cup scheme.
How does the reusable cup scheme work?
- Order your hot drink
- Buy your hot drink, with an extra tap of the card for the cup
- Enjoy your drink
- Return your cup to a collection point bin in the Upper Ground Cafe
- The cup is scanned by the team and your card will not be charged the £3 for the cup if it is returned within seven days.
Why is the British Library implementing a reusable cup scheme?
Because it’s the right thing for us to do. Single use creates a lot of unnecessary waste, and the Library believes there are alternatives to using them. View the British Library sustainability strategy. (PDF, 4.9MB)
Will using reusable cups make a difference?
Our catering outlets on the first floor, Terrace Café, King’s Library Café and Coffee Pod use ceramic cups. As the Upper Ground Café is not set up to use crockery, we have partnered with Tap & Reuse for this sustainable cup initiative. With all of our work across our outlets, we estimate that we will prevent 90,000 single use cups and their lids, from being used.
Will you still make hot drinks in ceramic cups?
Yes we will – in our first floor catering outlets, Terrace Café, King’s Library Café and Coffee Pod, and in Origin Coffee Euston Road.
Can I use the cup I already have?
Absolutely.
Where are the reusable cups from?
Our reusable cups are made by Circular & Co; find out more SupportUK | Kleen Hub
What are the reusable cups made from?
The cups are made from polypropylene.
FSA European and UK markets are not currently able to use recycled polypropylene (rPP) due to pending regulatory approval. As such, the Circular Returnable Cup is supplied to these markets made from 100% recyclable, food grade virgin PP.
How long do the reusable cups last?
The cups have been tested for 1,000 commercial wash cycles.
What happens to the reusable cups at the end of their life?
The cups are returned to Circular & Co where they are repurposed into new Circular products. They can also be recycled in normal curbside recycling bins.
Why are the reusable cups £3?
The £3 covers the cost of the cup, if you wish to keep it and not return it.
I pay with cash; can I get a hot drink from the Upper Ground Café?
If you pay by cash, you will still be able to use the reusable cup; however, you will need to return the cup to one of our baristas at the counter, not to the collection point bins. Please keep your receipt and on returning your cup and showing your receipt, your £3 refund will be given.
Can I get a discount for multiple reusable cups?
No, each loan cup with lid is £3.
Do I get a discount if I do not take a lid?
No. By reusable cup we mean the cup + lid. We also add the lids to make sure there are not any spills from the cups.
How long do I have to return the reusable cup?
To ensure you do not get charged the £3, please return the cup to one of the collection point bins in the Upper Ground Café within seven days.
What if I do not return my reusable cup?
If you do not return your cup within seven days, your cup will be marked as unreturned and you will be charged £3 for the cup.
I have been charged £3 for the reusable cup but I returned it.
We apologise for this. Please contact Tap and Reuse.
On the top right of the page, click on 'Support' and send a message. Please specify the code on the transaction on your banking app. If there is no code, please provide us with the day and time of the transaction, as well as the last 4 digits of your card. If you used Apple Pay or Google Pay, we need the last 4 digits of your digital card, which you can find in your phone's settings.
Someone took my reusable cup, can I still get my deposit back?
Unfortunately not, you need to return the reusable cup and lid to get your deposit back.
I found one of your reusable cups. Can I return it?
Please do, to one of the collection point bins in the Upper Ground Café. Thank you.
How do I know my reusable cup is clean?
All our cups go through our dishwasher, the same as our ceramic cups, to ensure they are clean and sanitised.
What if I do not want to use the reusable cup system?
Our first floor catering outlets, Terrace Café, King’s Library Café and Coffee Pod, use ceramic cups as does Origin Coffee Euston Road. If you are a Member of the British Library, the Members’ Room also uses crockery. Origin Coffee in the Entrance Hall uses paper cups. You can also bring your own reusable cup to any of our catering outlets.
Why is Origin Coffee in the Entrance Hall not doing the same?
The coffee shop in the Entrance Hall is unable to offer crockery as they do not have the mains water supply that would be needed to operate a dishwasher; they run off 20 litre water containers. Due to the listed status of the building this is unlikely to change. Origin Coffee and the British Library are looking at other solutions to remove disposable cups.
How do I feed back about the reusable cups?
If you have any feedback or questions, other than refunds for £3 charges, please direct them to ReusableCups@bl.uk.
What has feedback for the reusable cup scheme been like so far?
We are only just launching the scheme but the feedback we have had so far has been positive.
We will update the FAQs as we get more feedback.