Brightly coloured reusable coffee cups are in circulation at Ara Institute of Canterbury’s city campus thanks to two passionate Ara students.
Hilary Munro and Lily Hall are studying degrees in Sustainability and Outdoor Education. As part of a sustainability paper they were required to undertake a project which influences and encourages behavior change.
As keen coffee drinkers, both the girls had noticed disposable coffee cup waste around campus. They wanted to initiate a project that reduced waste and was of benefit to Ara and the wider environment.
‘We were getting a little bit frustrated walking around campus and seeing so many coffee cups being used and thrown in the wrong rubbish bin,’ says Hilary.
‘Essentially, we wanted to reduce the amount of waste that comes from buying coffee every day. We thought it would be a really cool idea to get some cups, give them away to students and encourage people to change the way they buy coffee.’
Te whatakai o Visions The Pantry on Campus supports the initiative by offering discounted coffee to customers with reusable cups.
Visions Restaurant Manager Jason Newton has noticed Ara staff in particular are good at remembering to use their recyclable cups.
‘I think the girls have come up with a really good idea that challenges our “throwaway society”. Good on them,’ Jason says.
Ara Foundation contributed $2,171.51 and mentoring, IdealCup donated 100 cups and discounted new cups and Te whatakai o Visions The Pantry on Campus supports the Cupcycle programme through washing used cups and offering a discount on coffee purchases.
Grants of up to $5k are offered anytime and applications for more than $5k are considered by Ara Foundation throughout the year for staff and students.