Gutom Staff CUP FEE SUMMER 2022
What started out as 25 cents is now up to $1!
Looks like businesses are really gouging their customers with the CUP FEE in Vancouver.
The fee goes directly to the business, and not the city.
Looks like it’s part of a recovery plan to get businesses more money after the pandemic.
Many businesses like Tim Hortons or Bubble Tea businesses that use special machines and cups like Iced Capp, don’t allow customers to bring or use their own cups or containers so we’re left with no choice but to pay it. For example 7-Eleven and Tim Hortons will let you bring a thermos mug for hot coffee, but says you have to use their plastic cups for ICED Coffee.
The Cup fee is ENCOURAGING businesses to use the fee for stuff like staff training, and software updates? Really?! More it’s discouraging customers from eating in Vancouver!
And the Cup fee is not really enforced!
Cup fees and revenue
Food vendors keep fees from cups. Revenue from cup fees is not remitted to the City.
Food vendors are encouraged to use the fees to:
- Invest in reusable alternatives for single-use items, such as reusable cups for drinks to stay, commercial dishwashers, and reusable cup-share programs
- Cover the cost of complying with the by-law, like software updates, training staff
Help your customers avoid fees and reduce waste by:
- Providing reusable cups for drinks to stay
- Participating in a reusable cup-share program
- Encouraging customers to bring their own cup
Discounts can still be offered to reward customers for choosing reusable cups.
Enforcing the rules
Due to the extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, City staff are prioritizing outreach and education to ensure businesses have the support they need in order to comply with the single-use item by-laws.
If a business is found to be out of compliance with the single-use item by-laws that are in effect, our initial actions will focus on education, outreach, and support to help them comply.
