Cafes in Ross-shire sign up for the Highland Cup Movement around the NC500
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A new movement in the Highlands has started today in order to reduce the amount of single use cups that are used and discarded on the NC500 route.
Highland Cup Movement has been launched by the environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, in order to make it easier for people to make the switch from single-use cups to reusable ones for their takeaway drinks.
The pilot scheme will see 25 businesses taking part, where customers can take away a reusable cup for free, and then return it to the same venue or another one taking part.
What cafes are taking part in the scheme in Ross-shire?
Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, The Coffee Bothy, Slaughterhouse Cafe, North Coast Coffee & Gifts, Sweets & Treats, Seaboard Centre Cafe, Midge Bite Cafe, Attadale Gardens, Waterside Cafe, Carron Restaurant, Applecross Inn, West Coast Delicatessen, Coast Coffee, Coffee & Bakes, Corrieshalloch Gorge Visitor Centre.
How can I register for the scheme?
- You must download the Vytal app, where you will be asked to put in your bank card details
- The server in the cafe will then scan your QR code on the app and the one on the cup
- You can then take it away and return it to any of the cafes that are participating in the scheme within 14 days
- If you don't bring the cup back within 14 days you will automatically be charged £4 but then the cup is yours to keep
Why is the Highland Cup Movement being launched?
A survey conducted of people in the Highlands by the environmental charity discovered that 82 per cent are concerned about the amount of single-use takeaway cups used and 81 per cent agree that takeaway venues need to do more to make it easier to choose a reusable cup.
Maru Fraser, manager of Rosemarkie Beach Cafe said: "Everyone is excited about it and talking about it. We have a lot of tourists and locals coming to visit us. I spoke to someone at the bus today who had a cup from Slaughterhouse and was excited to know she could return it to us.
"This scheme can keep going throughout the winter, and we are really looking forward to it.
"It's so simple to do – you just download the app and scan away.
"I have a lot of cost in takeaway cups, so people need to use less of them and we need to start looking after the environment. "People from Europe who are signed up for the Vytal scheme there can use it with us too - so I am excited to see where we will get cups from!"
How do I get involved if I run a business?
Businesses must register with Vytal, and then you will be sent a designated amount of reusable cups. You will then be added onto the interactive map of the region for people to see.
Lisa Cortes of North Coast Coffee said: "We are really excited – it very much fits in with our business ethos. We use biodegradable cups already and fits in with what we want to achieve.
"Getting involved and signing up has been really easy. It's a good network to be able to link up with other businesses. We can recommend other businesses that are on the scheme so people can visit them too."
Those who download and use the Vytal App during May for the first time will be able to enjoy a free hot drink at participating businesses.
