By Kendall Robertson

Local Businesses Roll Out CupCycling Program

Oct 29, 2018 | 4:33 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- There has been a push in recent years to get rid of single-use plastics. A new initiative rolled out by Play Grounds Cafe is doing just that with the CupCycling program. “The idea stemmed from us opening our new location and with the expansion would be more disposable cups and things like that so we wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have that impact on our environment any longer,” said Play Grounds Cafe owner, Jeni Arnott. For a ten dollar bond consumers get a reusable cup, then, the cup can be returned and swapped out for a new one at any participating location. Those cups are then cleaned and reused. The lids are one-time use but they are compostable. The first drink is free with the purchase of a cup. Col Juicery is the first business to get on board. “At Col, we’re very passionate about reducing waste,” said owner, Rhea Simpson, “not only does this decrease on the waste, but it also makes it more available to people because I think the biggest issue with reusable cups is we either forget them in our car and they’re dirty or we forget them at home when we take them in to clean them and then we end up having to get another disposable base.” Col Juicery has a goal of getting UNBC to participate in the program, meanwhile, Play Grounds Cafe is challenging other businesses to get on board.