Shanghai has launched a new citywide campaign to promote bring-your-own-cup use, as Meituan rolled out its latest green initiative on Dec 1.

The program aims to help more than 3,000 beverage shops in Shanghai and over 30,000 nationwide display the BYO cup label across their online and in-store channels. About 500,000 consumers are expected to take part.

The launch comes as Shanghai continues to lead the country in BYO cup adoption. More than 500,000 coffee and tea shops operate across China, and over 17,000 of them now support BYO cup, with a clear label on the Meituan and Dianping apps. Shanghai alone accounts for more than 2,200 such outlets, the highest of any city in the country.

In the coffee sector, about 6.7 percent of shops nationwide display the BYO cup label, compared with a 20 percent in Shanghai, underscoring the city's role as a pioneer in promoting this sustainable way of consuming beverages.

The BYO cup practice allows customers to use their own reusable cups when purchasing coffee or tea. Research indicates that each BYO cup purchase reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40 grams. Since a tree can absorb 4 to 18 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, bringing a personal cup every day for a year can deliver a carbon-reduction impact equivalent to planting at least one tree.

Several major chains, including Peet's Coffee and Costa, will add the "support BYO cup" label to their store pages. Tims will offer free trial drinks for BYO cup users at hundreds of its outlets, while Bojoo Drinks will support more cup sizes and provide additional discounts.

The campaign will expand from Shanghai to cities across the country. Online, Meituan and eight beverage brands are offering more than 10,000 free BYO cup drinks at nearly 500 stores in Shanghai and other cities to enhance public engagement and encourage more brands to adopt the label. Offline, more than 30 themed stores in popular Shanghai shopping areas and thousands of participating outlets nationwide will distribute gifts and increase discounts to motivate consumers.

According to the Shanghai Electronic Commerce Promotion Center, the initiative supports the city's broader efforts to build an international consumption center with strong green credentials. It is expected to help platforms, retailers, consumers, and social organizations work together to expand low-carbon consumption scenarios and foster a new green consumption ecosystem.

Source: Shanghai Observer