Starbucks Korea said on the 10th that the cumulative number of uses of personal reusable cups at its stores over the past 18 years has surpassed 200 million.
According to results tallied from 2007, when Starbucks began tracking the personal cup use system, through November this year, the number of personal cup uses came to 206.8 million. Converting the benefits provided to customers into monetary terms amounts to 90 billion won.
From January to November this year, personal cup uses totaled 32.25 million, the highest figure for the same period on record. After surpassing 100 million uses in 2022, 15 years after the system tally began, Starbucks' personal cup use count topped 200 million in three years at a rapid pace and has continued to rise every year.
To mark the milestone of 200 million personal cup uses, Starbucks will run a 10-day event from the 10th to the 19th of this month in which customers can exchange 10 stars for a free handcrafted beverage coupon. The coupon can be used when ordering with a personal cup through Siren Order.
In addition, following the first half of this year, in the second half from July to December, the company will select 100 customers who accumulated the most Eco Stars through personal cup use and present three types of upcycled products.
Since November 2018, Starbucks has allowed customers using personal cups to choose between a cash discount and accumulating Eco Stars.
The "no disposable cup day" campaign, conducted on the 10th of every month since 2018 with the Korea Zero Waste Movement Network, was revamped in March this year to offer benefits to more customers and has been in operation.
On the 10th of each month, a scratch event is held in which customers who accumulate Eco Stars using a personal cup during the day can receive one of two options: stars or a free tall-size Americano coupon.
Starbucks also said that by the end of this year, except for some stores where installation is physically difficult, it will expand the installation of tumbler washers to most stores nationwide to help customers use tumblers more conveniently.
Chief Executive Son Jeong-hyun of Starbucks said, "The number of customers participating in personal cup use is steadily increasing every year, and we will continue sincere efforts by consistently preparing ways to offer more meaningful benefits, such as the 'no disposable cup day' campaign and dedicated rewards."