Swansea University ditches disposable cups as new reusable scheme hits campus

The 2GoCup system, already used by cafés and businesses across Swansea city centre, has now launched in several university catering outlets in a bid to cut waste and push students and staff towards greener habits.

The scheme, delivered by Swansea BID in partnership with Swansea Council, lets customers pay a small deposit for a sturdy reusable cup, which can be returned for a refund or swapped for a clean one at any participating venue.

University officials say early feedback has been “really positive”, with hopes the scheme will become part of everyday campus life.

Ben Lucas, Associate Director of Commercial Services at Swansea University, said the move was about “embedding sustainability into daily routines” and encouraging people to ditch disposables.

Mr Lucas said:

“We’re delighted to introduce the 2GoCup scheme across parts of our campus and to see such a positive response from staff and students.

“Small everyday actions can make a big difference, and this initiative supports our ambition to embed sustainability into daily routines while reducing waste.

“We hope this will encourage even more people to choose reusable options and play their part in creating a greener future.”

The university’s rollout follows the scheme’s growing popularity in the city centre, where businesses including Socialdice / Pieminister, Little Man Coffee at Founders, The Storyteller, First Call Coffee, The Cwtch, The Anchor, Café Ark, Hello Asia and two Jenkins Bakery shops have already signed up.

Local employers such as Swansea.com, Morgans Hotel and Peter Lynn and Partners have also bought reusable cups for staff.

Swansea Council says the scheme supports its ambition to become a net zero city by 2050, with Cllr Andrea Williams calling it a “practical way” to cut waste and keep communities cleaner.

Cllr Williams, who is the council’s Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation said:

“The 2GoCup scheme is an exciting and practical way to help us on our journey to becoming a net zero city by 2050. Every small change adds up, so by reducing single-use waste, we’re protecting our environment, keeping our communities cleaner and supporting local businesses.

“We’re proud to help fund this initiative and welcome Swansea University’s involvement in helping drive positive behaviour change.”

Swansea BID Manager Andrew Douglas said the early response on campus shows the city is “leading the way on sustainability”, adding that more organisations are expected to join in the coming months.

Mr Douglas said:

“Swansea is a city that looks to the future, and it’s fantastic to see both our city centre businesses and Swansea University leading the way on sustainability.

“The 2GoCup model makes it simple for people to make greener choices without any added hassle, and the early response on campus has been really encouraging.

“We’re excited to build on this momentum over the coming months as more organisations come on board.”

The 2GoCup model was created by an Irish start‑up in 2018 and has since expanded across the UK and Ireland. The cups are BPA‑free, designed for repeated use and fully recyclable at the end of their life.

New reusable cup scheme launches in Swansea city centre to cut single‑use waste

The 2GoCup initiative, run jointly by Swansea Council’s Swansea Project Zero team and Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), allows customers to pay a small deposit for a durable, reusable cup. The cup can be returned to any participating business for a refund or swapped for a fresh one.

The scheme is designed to reduce the thousands of disposable coffee cups thrown away in the city centre each week, helping Swansea meet its sustainability targets.

Nine businesses have already signed up, including Socialdice / Pinatas, Little Man Coffee at Founders, The Storyteller, First Call Coffee, The Cwtch, The Anchor, Café Ark, Hello Asia and Kardomah, with another seven to be announced soon. Local employers Swansea.com and Peter Lynn and Partners have also purchased cups for staff.

Cllr Andrea Williams, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Service Transformation at Swansea Council, said:

“The 2GoCup scheme is an exciting and practical way to help us on our journey to becoming a net zero city by 2050. Every small change adds up, so by reducing single‑use waste, we’re protecting our environment, keeping the city cleaner, and supporting our local businesses. We’re proud to help fund this initiative and look forward to seeing more businesses join in.”

Andrew Douglas, Swansea BID Manager, said:

“Swansea is a city that looks to the future, and our businesses are proud to be leading the way on sustainability. The 2GoCup model makes it simple for customers to choose greener options without any added hassle, and the positive early response has been fantastic to see. We’re excited to build on this momentum in the months ahead, expanding the scheme and encouraging people to explore new coffee shops across the city — boosting trade for our BID businesses while supporting a more sustainable Swansea.”

Kieran Ivett, owner of Wind Street’s Socialdice and Pinatas, added:

“I’m extremely passionate about this scheme. It’s already delivered fantastic results in Ireland, and I’m confident it will not only inspire visitors to make more sustainable choices but also give businesses the chance to connect with new customers. The idea is straightforward, and I believe people coming into the city will embrace it; all while playing their part in protecting the environment.”

Launched in Ireland in 2018, 2GoCup has expanded across the UK and Ireland. The cups are made from durable, BPA‑free materials, designed for multiple uses, and are fully recyclable at the end of their life.

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