Q & A: Bring your own cup at TU Delft
Why are no (free) disposable cups going to be available from 1 July onwards?
The Netherlands is required to reduce the use of disposable cups and trays. From 1 July 2023 onwards clients of takeaways, delivery locations points and supermarkets will be required to pay for disposable cups and trays which contain plastic. As from 1 January 2024 there will be a complete ban on disposable cups and trays which contain plastic being used for on-site consumption (Rijksoverheid, 2023)
Where can I get a reusable cup?
You can, of course, always bring your own cup with you to the campus (Bring Your Own). If you do not have one, you can purchase a reusable cup (Billie Cup) from any staffed hospitality outlet from 1 July onwards. We are looking into whether this service can be provided at other locations in due course. We will let you know in good time if this is the case.
What does the ban on disposable cups mean for visitors?
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Visitors who wish to purchase a drink from a staffed coffee corner can use their own cup, or purchase a Billie Cup for a one-off payment of 1 euro. The Billie Cup can be handed in at a staffed hospitality outlet in return for a clean cup, it can be taken home, or it can be exchanged for a token which can then be used to obtain a new Billie Cup.
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In the case of unstaffed coffee corners you can use your own cup, or purchase a Billie Cup from a staffed coffee corner or hospitality outlet.
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Anyone who uses the coffee vending machines for students (in the public areas) can choose to either use a reusable cup, or a disposable cup for an additional charge of € 0.25 cents. In accordance with the national guidelines the disposable cup option will no longer be available after 1 January 2024.
What does the ban on disposable cups mean for banqueting services (meetings/events/receptions)?
From 1 July 2023 onwards the caterer will no longer be able to use disposable cups and will provide an alternative (crockery and/or glassware). The Single Use Plastic option will therefore no longer be available in the banqueting portal as from 1 July this year.
Are all reusable cups suitable for the staff vending machines?
Yes, the vending machine can recognise every type of reusable cup. However, the vending machine does find it more difficult to recognise black/glass cups.
How are the disposable cups which have been removed going to be disposed of?
It will be possible to purchase disposable cups at the coffee vending machines for students (in the public areas) until 1 January 2024. That is where the disposable cups from the staff vending machines are going to be used. Nothing is going to be thrown away.
