Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC)

Campaign

Bringing reusable cup behavior to San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties

Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) is a Bay Area—wide program that helps coffee shops, boba shops, and cafes reduce single-use cup waste while attracting sustainability-minded customers. The campaign makes it simple for businesses to welcome reusable cups through free, flexible participation and community visibility.

  • 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!

Businesses: Join the Movement!

Registration is free and only takes 5-10 minutes!

Once enrolled, you’ll receive promotional materials that help customers identify BYOC locations:

  • Window decal signaling reusable cup acceptance

  • Countertop placard explaining the program

  • Flyer with BYOC safety guidelines for employees to reference