Reusable cup system supports waste reduction across NHS hospital cafés

A reusable cup system has been introduced across hospital cafés operated by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), as part of efforts to reduce waste and improve the environmental performance of food and drink service within its facilities.

The initiative was implemented in collaboration with FSG Returnables and materials supplier Borealis, replacing single-use beverage packaging previously used across the Trust’s cafés.

Under the scheme, reusable drink cups are now used at all seven NHFT hospital café locations. The cups, known as Zero Waste Cups, are manufactured using polypropylene supplied by Borealis and produced with EcoCore technology developed by Bockatech.

The cups feature a foamed polypropylene structure designed to provide strength and insulation while maintaining a lightweight format suitable for hot drinks. According to the companies involved, the cups are designed to withstand more than 1,000 industrial wash cycles in healthcare environments and are resistant to repeated exposure to heat, detergents and frequent handling.

NHFT previously used single-use compostable packaging in its cafés. While intended to reduce environmental impact, the Trust said this approach still resulted in significant waste volumes and ongoing purchasing costs associated with disposable products.

This has been an incredible step forward by NHFT in our journey to protect the planet. With the expertise of Lynn Johnson from FSG, we’re moving closer to our Net Zero goals. Six sites are now running like a sustainability powerhouse, and the transition has been seamless. Staff, visitors, and patients alike have embraced this change wholeheartedly!

Joanne Fitzgerald, NHFT Deputy General Manager.

The new system replaces single-use cups with reusable alternatives, supported by washing and return processes across the hospital sites. During the initial rollout, a short-term token reward scheme was introduced to encourage adoption, alongside communication and engagement activities aimed at staff and visitors.

Once established, the system relied primarily on ease of use and consistent processes to maintain return rates. According to the project partners, many users chose to keep and reuse their cups rather than exchange them.

The reusable packaging programme is intended to support the Trust’s wider environmental objectives, including its Net Zero commitments, while also contributing to waste reduction and potential long-term cost savings.

The original article published by Borealis can be viewed here.