Borrow A Cup
Lead Engineer
Concept Design | Testing
Reducing Waste
Teams Marketing | Electrical | ID
Tools Foam Core | Illustrator | SolidWorks
A first-of-its-kind test for Starbucks, the Borrow A Cup program aimed to eliminate single use cups from a brand made iconic by its cups and the coffee inside of them. A point of return, storage, and user education/attraction, our proof of concept enabled the return of a reusable cup and $1 deposit all while a pandemic was still ongoing.
Problem
Single use cups are a leading contributor to Starbucks' carbon and waste footprint.
"Let's just use reusables, then." Well, it is only effective if people return those cups to be sanitized and used again. Not to mention, many of these cups may be sitting with leftover latte for weeks in a cup holder before being returned (not that anyone would ever do this...).
HOW MIGHT WE
Enable the return of a reusable cup which makes it engaging, educational, and clean?
Design
Tackling changing customer behavior meant rapid prototyping, interviewing, and testing to define requirements quickly. Something learned day one of testing was people will put trash anywhere. This became an integral part of what would be developed, as it needed to accept only cups. Equipment engaging with such a variety of users also meant accessibility testing would play a major role.
Constraints: Modularity, Timeline, Usability
Customer Feedback | Accessibility Testing
Solution
An IoT enabled return station which will both attract users and guide them through the return process, return a $1 deposit to a mobile app or physical receipt, and limit any trash into the equipment. With everything unknown at the time, this equipment supported a Starbucks first in testing reusables in the market. The results - nearly all cups returned, learnings to simplify feedback at the return station, and excitement to continue the journey.
