94% of consumers are still not actively engaging with reusables, the direct ownership model has had limited success in the UK. Returnable is more ‘to hand’, convenient and in touch with consumer needs. If you won’t bring a cup, we already have one for you.
The Cheshire Cup Club is a returnable coffee cup scheme which was launched in Chester May 2023 to try to reduce the amount of single use cup waste and litter in the city by Eco Communities. Two Winsford residents, Michelle Hawthorne and Drew Wynne contacted Eco Communities to see if it was possible to bring the scheme to Winsford.
Michelle and Drew, both passionate about supporting local economy, wanted to take positive action to strengthen the community of local businesses in Winsford in the face of delayed regeneration and the presence of large chains, which are both negatively impacting footfall in the town. Michelle explained “linking residents through the Cup Club helps to put local businesses front of mind when people are searching for their morning coffee fix, supporting community, local business and the environment all at the same time. We have a longer term aim to build a shop local movement, we hope that locals will join the Cup Club to get us started.”
With four businesses already signed up, The Old Star (star bites), The Electric Church, Norden’s and Al’s Plaice, we officially launched the project at the towns Salt Fair on Saturday 14th September with the full support of the Town Council. The cafes will be offering a 10% discount on drinks using the Returnable Cheshire Cup and
The team from Eco Communities, along with local residences, including Winsford Sustainability Partnership (WiSP), will also be working with the Town Council on Surfers Against Sewages Plastic Free Community project. The accreditation aims to reduce single use plastic within the town. Helen Tandy from Eco Communities told us “We achieved Plastic Free Chester in 2018 and have been working with other regions in Cheshire. The Winsford annual Salt Fair had a sustainable theme this year and so it seemed fitting to work with residents and community groups in Winsford to achieve the Plastic Free Community accreditation.”
Cllr Wayne Fletcher and Mayor of Winsford told us “It was important to make the Salt Fair sustainable to align with environmental goals and reduce the event’s ecological footprint. As a long-standing tradition celebrating Winsford’s heritage, we felt it was essential to preserve the festival while ensuring it didn’t contribute to modern environmental issues, such as waste or carbon emissions.
A key initiative for Winsford is the introduction of a reusable cup scheme, which aims to minimize single-use plastic waste. By encouraging attendees to join the scheme and use these eco-friendly cups, the council takes a proactive step towards reducing the environmental impact in the town”
The scheme is simple; join the Cheshire Cup Club, use the cups for take away drinks, drop the used cup in any of the participating cafes and they will wash it and put it back into circulation.
Join Cheshire Cup Club for life for only a £2.00 donation here. CLICK TO JOIN
