John Lewis Partnership to trial reusable cup cleaning service

The John Lewis Partnership has announced plans to host a pioneering coffee cup subscription service that allows customers to drop off dirty coffee mugs and pick up clean ones in their place.

The retail group said it would host the plastic-fighting start-up CupClub on a trial basis at its London headquarters, after the firm impressed judges at a pitch day for green start-ups last week.

CupClub produces reusable takeaway cups for hot drinks, which customers can use and then drop back off to be cleaned ready for reuse. Cups are tracked using RFID chips.

John Lewis Partnership said it expects its trial to start in the "next couple of months".  

CupClub's presentation was heard by John Lewis Partnership executives at the company's pitch day for JLAB, its retail innovation programme.

Focused this year on start-ups tackling plastic waste, JLAB judges also identified three other businesses it is interested in partnering with: Cuantec, a firm making compostable, antimicrobial food packaging; RePack, a mail packaging service using resuable and returnable materials; and Replenish, which makes reusable and refillable bottles for liquid concentrates.

"Further discussions" will be had with all three firms, John Lewis Partnership confirmed.

"It was fantastic to see so much energy from a range of businesses innovating to solve the global plastic problem," said Benet Northcote, director of corporate responsibility at the John Lewis Partnership. "We're passionate about creating a sustainable future for the retail sector and that means changing the way we all use and view plastic. The businesses we've selected are truly disruptive and will help towards our own ambitious targets."