As the government in the UK aims to eliminate avoidable waste following the unveiling of its 25-year environmental plan, Mintel research reveals that coffee drinkers are happy to do their bit for the environment, but not at any cost.
Mintel research on coffee shops has found that 40 per cent of out of home hot drinks consumers say they would not mind paying extra for drinks served in 100 per cent recyclable cups.
This sentiment is particularly strong among 20-24-year-olds with 51 per cent saying the same. Furthermore, 58 per cent of consumers think coffee shops should offer a discount to those using their own travel mugs.
Although the country is keen to cut down on packaging waste, price is an issue for many, as 73 per cent of coffee shop drinkers say price increases would make them cut back on out-of-home drinking.
However, consumers are open to seeing environmentally-friendly changes introduced in other areas of the coffee shop. Four in five (82 per cent) believe that coffee shops should provide recycling bins.
Trish Caddy, Foodservice Analyst at Mintel, said “Our research shows that while consumers have great environmental intentions, they are often very pressed for time. Also, the hassle factor of carrying around reusable coffee cups could limit the popularity of schemes that reward people for doing so.
“A more effective solution would be to make things easier for consumers by making cups more easily recyclable by, for example, using 100 per cent biodegradable packaging rather than recycling the plastic.”
