Coffee chain to ban sale of disposable cups

Coffee chain Boston Tea Party to ban all disposable cups from their cafes Credit: ITV West Country

An independent coffee chain with 14 cafes across the West Country is set to become the first in the UK to ban the sale of single-use cups.

Boston Tea Party, which was founded in Bristol, will only serve drinks in reusable cups from June 1st 2018.

This ban means they will no longer sell any single-use plastic in stores.

The chain is encouraging customers to bring their own cups but the option to loan or buy one is available.

The company is estimated to lose £1m in hot drink sales as a result of the ban.

The owners said the initiative is a big business risk but it is needed to reduce "senseless" waste.

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The decision has been welcomed by customers.

Reusable coffee cups can be bought at Boston Tea Party cafes. Credit: ITV West Country

Sam Roberts said the changes will come in on June 1st to give customers and employees time to adjust to the idea.

He hopes this move will encourage others to follow; reducing pollution and waste.