Attention all coffee drinkers!

Have you been into a Tim Hortons location yet this summer season? Have you yet purchased one of their many specialty summer drink options? Then my bets are placed that nearly every single one of those drinks was accompanied by a plastic to-go cup, and accommodating straw.

Am I here to shame you as the consumer? Of course not; Rather the multi-billion dollar company behind the cup which will inevitably end up in one of 3 places:

1. Rinsed, and in the recycle bin; ( a place where not all plastics get properly recycled; especially given the fact that these cups are made of type 5 plastic - polypropylene (PP) - which is not accepted for recycle everywhere.)

2. In the Landfill;

A) Because users can’t see/notice the disposal advice Tim Hortons prints on their cups in the fine print

B) Because the recycling bins are emptied by bag directly into the trash bins (as not all places follow proper and sustainable recycling policies)

C)Because the recycling batch was unable to be processed due to contamination, and sent directly to landfill.

3. Absolutely random/unacceptable places like the side of the road; lakes/oceans/rivers; random grocery store shelves (because nobody had a place to dispose of the cup); etc.

Of course, Tim Hortons has no control over how people dispose of their cups; the best they can do is warn you! Right?! Wrong! This problem can be best resolved right from the very birth of the cup!

By manufacturing sustainable, reusable summer beverage cups, a HUGE impact can be made on single use plastic around the globe (9 countries to be exact).

As well, by introducing a system of producing summer drinks which allows reusable drink cups from outside of the manufacturers chain (such as mason jars, ceramic travel mugs, and other store bought reusable drink cup options) to be used in store - as they are currently not accepted at most locations** - single plastic use can similarly be combated globally.

** most locations will prepare the drink in a disposable cup, and then dump the drink into your reusable cup … defeating the purpose of a reusable cup!

By signing this petition, you are helping to show the Big Guy what consumers really care about! So, are you for convenience, or the bigger picture?

Sign here for a more sustainable, achievable future.