Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC)

It’s simple:

• Customers bring their clean, reusable cups when ordering

• Baristas serve drinks with the reusable cups, rather than relying on single-use ones

• Better for the environment: Manufacturing and recycling single-use cups consumes energy and water. Reusables reduce this impact.

• Reduces litter: Single-use cups and accessories often end up in the streets and oceans, harming wildlife.

• Save money: BYOC cuts costs on cups, lids, sleeves, and straws. Less waste can also lower costs.

• Free promotion: Participating locations are featured in online and in-person outreach efforts that connect businesses with environmentally conscious customers across the Bay Area.

  Campaign visibility includes:

  • Listing on the websites of SVYCA and our partners (SFE, Burlingame Sustainability, etc.)

  • Inclusion in an interactive BYOC map

  • Outreach through student networks across dozens of Bay Area schools

• Save money: Many cafes offer discounts or loyalty points through BYOC. Regular customers see real savings!

Will this affect our revenue?

Participation is optional and discounts are never required. The program is designed to drive repeat visits, not cut into your margins.

Will customers buy less if they bring their own cup?

No — BYOC incentivizes customers to return to your business specifically to use their cup and save money, building long-term loyalty.

How much will discounts cost us annually?

The cost of a typical single-use paper cup ranges from $0.10 to $0.50. When a customer brings their own cup, businesses save that cost — in most cases, those savings fully offset the discount offered. The net impact on your margins is minimal or neutral.

What discount are you expecting us to offer?

The suggested standard is $0.25 off per visit for customers who bring their own cup. You are free to adjust this — or offer no discount at all — based on what works best for your business.

Is there a recommended standard?

Yes, $0.25 is the Bay Area standard modeled after the San Francisco Environment Department's successful program. However, businesses are encouraged to adapt the discount to their needs.

Who covers the cost of the discount?

The customer absorbs the cost by bringing their own cup. Businesses within the program actually save money through reduced spending on cups, lids, sleeves, and straws — making participation a net positive for most businesses.

Is there any cost to join?

None. No fees, no contracts, no required purchases. Joining the program is completely free.

Will this slow down service during busy hours?

The process is designed to be low-friction. Customers hand over their cup, the drink is made as usual, and the discount is applied at checkout. No new equipment or procedures are required.

How do we handle different cup sizes?

If the cup volume is unclear, staff can check the bottom of the cup (volume is often printed there) or do a quick pour of water to measure. Businesses are not required to make exact matches — you can charge for the closest size.

What if the cup isn't the right size?

Charge for the closest available size on your menu. This is at your staff's discretion and there is no strict requirement to match sizes perfectly.

How do we ensure accurate portion control?

Businesses can fill to the cup's capacity or to the nearest size on their menu. There is no expectation of perfect precision — the goal is a smooth, low-effort experience for staff.

Could customers exploit larger cups?

You may charge for the size of drink ordered, regardless of the cup brought. Staff always retain discretion over what size to prepare and charge for.

Are there health code restrictions?

The San Francisco Environment Department has developed contactless cup refill guidelines that have been cleared for use across the Bay Area. These guidelines are designed to keep the process safe and compliant with county health regulations.

Does county health law allow outside containers behind the counter?

Yes, under the contactless refill guidelines developed by SFE. We will provide your business with a copy of these guidelines upon joining the program.

What if a customer's cup is dirty?

Businesses are fully empowered to refuse cups that appear unclean. This is a clearly communicated safety guideline — not an expectation that all cups must be accepted.

Who is liable if someone gets sick?

Under the contactless refill model, staff do not touch the customer's cup directly. The safety guidelines are designed to minimize liability risk. We recommend reviewing with your local health department if you have specific concerns.

Do we need new sanitation procedures?

No major changes are required. The recommended practice is a contactless pour — staff pour the drink into the customer's cup without touching it. This requires no new equipment or significant retraining.

Are there local or state incentives supporting this?

Yes. California has been progressively tightening single-use packaging regulations. Participating businesses are ahead of the curve and demonstrate proactive compliance.

Does this align with plastic reduction laws?

Yes. BYOC directly supports California's goals around reducing single-use foodware waste and aligns with local zero-waste initiatives across the Bay Area.

Would participating protect us from future packaging regulations?

Participating demonstrates a proactive commitment to sustainability, which can be an asset in regulatory conversations. While we cannot make legal guarantees, early adopters are generally well-positioned as these regulations evolve.

How does this benefit our brand?

Sustainability is increasingly a purchase driver, especially among younger customers. Displaying your participation signals that your business cares about the community and the environment — a meaningful differentiator.

Can we advertise this as a sustainability initiative?

Absolutely. Participating businesses are encouraged to promote their BYOC participation on social media, websites, and in-store. We can provide branded assets to support your promotion.

Will you help promote participating businesses?

Yes — participating businesses benefit from:

• Listing on the county BYOC business map (publicly accessible)

• Promotion through Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action's social media channels

• Amplification through our Bay Area youth climate network

• A BYOC window decal displayed at your location

How do we measure success?

Tracking is optional for businesses. If you'd like to participate in data collection, options include:

• Logging BYOC transactions at the point of sale

• Using Fill It Forward QR-coded stickers distributed to customers (no app required)

• Sharing periodic estimates with our team for regional reporting

How do we roll this out smoothly?

We recommend the following:

• Brief your staff on the program and the contactless refill guidelines

• Display the BYOC window decal we provide at your entrance

• Optionally run a soft launch for a few weeks before fully promoting it

📝 We can provide signage templates and talking points for staff training.

What about drive-thru locations?

Drive-thru participation is at your discretion. Some businesses accept reusable cups at the window using a contactless pour. If this feels operationally complex for your location, it is perfectly fine to limit participation to in-store orders only.

What if customers forget their cup?

No problem: they can order as usual without the discount. You can encourage repeat visits by reminding them to bring a cup next time. Some programs suggest encouraging customers to keep a spare cup at home or in their car to reduce forgetfulness.