Hanley Sustainability Institute
Bringing reusable cups to the Blend on campus at UD
By Faith Pfaff
Imagine a campus where every coffee cup is reusable, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Many University of Dayton students enjoy going to the Blend for refreshers or coffee between classes or while studying. Fortunately, we have two Blend shops on campus. One is in Roesch Library and the other in Mariam Hall, making them very accessible.
However, a critical question arises. How many of the Blend’s plastic cups ultimately end up in landfills? According to the EPA, only nine percent of plastic is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or the environment. The environmental impact of plastic, whether recycled or not, is far from positive.
Due to this, I always had a guilty conscience when frequenting the Blend. So, one day earlier in the fall semester of 2025, I wondered if they would put my drink in a reusable cup. I experimented and tested it out. I brought my reusable cup, placed my order, and politely asked if they could serve my drink in it. They very happily said yes, and ever since then, I always try to bring my reusable cup with me.
Every person I have told about this was shocked that you can bring your own cup. I wish it was more promoted by the cafe. Making everyone more aware of this would be so beneficial because it is such an easy way to be more sustainable on campus.
Starbucks is a good example of promoting sustainability. They offer a discount of 10 cents on beverages for bringing a reusable cup, and Starbucks Rewards members receive 25 Bonus Stars. In the United States, Starbucks has contributed to the removal of an average of 2 million cups per month from waste streams since allowing patrons to bring their cups on every visit. With over a million of them doing so for the first time, more than 1.6 million Starbucks Rewards members have brought in their cups.
Starbucks is a huge business, so having plastic-free choices available is crucial. However, it is just as important to make this difference at small businesses, too.
I would love to see reusable cups being promoted and used at the Blend. Any action, no matter how big or small, makes a difference, and I would love to see it happen at the University of Dayton.