VANCOUVER, BC – A&W Canada has announced that it will be launching the A&W Cup Crew, an exchangeable cup pilot at restaurants in the Greater Vancouver Area. The launch of A&W Cup Crew reflects A&W’s’ continued strategic commitment to reduce its environmental impact through the conscious use of packaging, energy, waste, and water.
Each year, the average Canadian throws away 250 single-use paper cups. A&W Canada is committed to finding a way to limit the number of single use cups used at its restaurants. Understanding that sustainability requires partnership throughout the supply chain, we are partnering with The Coca-Cola Company to bring this program to life. The A&W Cup Crew exchangeable cup can be used for both hot and cold drinks and is made from recyclable polypropylene that is BPA-free.
To join the pilot program, guests can simply purchase an A&W Cup Crew exchangeable cup for $3 the next time they order a beverage at any participating restaurant in the Greater Vancouver Area. The A&W Cup Crew pilot program is a fully circular model – guests are encouraged to exchange their used exchangeable cup each time they visit an A&W restaurant, eliminating the need for single-use paper cups. A&W Cup Crew members will receive a $0.20 cent discount each time they return their exchangeable cup and will be served in a newly cleaned and sanitized exchangeable cup. A&W Cup Crew exchangeable cups will be cleaned and sanitized in the same dishwashers used for the variety of reusable dishware that is already part of the unique A&W experience.
A&W has a long history of reducing single-use packaging – guests who dine-in have been served beverages in frosted glass mugs since 1956.
“A&W has a long history of taking actions to reduce our environmental impact – from being the first QSR in North America to eliminate plastic straws, to using compostable packaging, real mugs, plates, and cutlery,” says Susan Senecal, A&W Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The A&W Cup Crew allows our guests to enjoy their favorite drinks on the go and reduce the use of single-use cups. We’re all about serving up great taste with minimal waste, and proud to have Coca-Cola support us in our journey.”
“Through our World Without Waste initiative, we are working to reduce packaging waste and promote a circular economy,” said Alpa Sutaria, General Manager, Sustainability, North America Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company. “We are excited to partner with A&W on their exchangeable cup pilot that works towards driving a circular economy in Canada. We believe that partnerships like this and collective action are needed to deliver a more sustainable future.”
More information on the A&W Cup Crew pilot program and the list of participating restaurants can be found on aw.ca/cupcrew.