Waitrose is scrapping free hot drinks perk for some customers – but there’s a way to get around it
The hot drink offer will no longer be available to anyone using a disposable cup, but there is a way you can still get a freebie
WAITROSE are scrapping their free hot drink scheme for myWaitrose customers who don't have a reusable cup.
Stopping the scheme comes as Waitrose plans to get rid of all of their plastic cups by this Autumn.
Under the myWaitrose loyalty scheme customers have been able to get a free hot drink whenever they shop at Waitrose.
But because Waitrose are phasing out their plastic cups the offer will no longer be available for customers who don't bring a reusable cup.
Waitrose will notify you when your local store will require you to have a reusable cup to get a free hot drink.
Waitrose will start to get rid of their plastic cups in eight stores in the UK from April 30th.
But, you can still get freebies as a myWaitrose member without having a reusable cup.
MyWaitrose members can now get free or heavily discounted items when they buy a hot drink at a Waitrose cafe.
The free items will be changing monthly, this month myWaitrose members will be able to get a free soup, bircher muesli, almond croissant or a loaf cake slice with their drink.
The new deal is not entirely free as you need to buy a drink to get a hold of your freebie, but if you are going to be going to Waitrose regularly you might as well invest in a reusable cup for your free drinks.
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The only requirement for the reusable cups is that they can fit under the nozzle in the self-service coffee machine.
Waitrose have said that scrapping their plastic cups will save more than 52 million cups being thrown away every year.
On average every Waitrose cafe throws away nearly 290,000 cups in a year.
Although getting rid of the plastic cups won't start until the end of the month, it is going to take until Autumn this year to completely remove disposable cups from stores.
Tor Harris, head of sustainability and responsible sourcing at Waitrose, said: "We realise this is a major change, but we believe removing all takeaway disposable cups is the right thing to do for our business and are confident the majority of customers will support the environmental benefits.
"It underlines our commitment to plastic and packaging reduction and our aim is to deliver this as quickly as possible."
If you are looking to get yourself a reusable cup, here is our guide on the best cups to dodge the latte levy with.
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