Great Western Coffee Shop

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-36916164

The leader of the Green Party has criticised the "pointless waste" created by a rail firm which refused to serve her coffee in a reusable cup.
Natalie Bennett was travelling on Great Western Railway (GWR) from Truro to Plymouth when she asked for a latte.
A GWR drinks bar worker refused saying there was a risk of injury to her and the member of staff.
GWR said it was "deeply committed to protecting the environment" but it did not want passengers "scolded" (sic)

The thought of GWR catering staff scolding a passenger like a naughty child is quite amusing, but I suspect the spokesperson meant something else!

This is rather a well timed post. See bbc1 now (9pm) Hugh fearnly whatever is doing a episode about waste with a big feature on coffee cups!

GWR explained to a lady in front of me recently that they have to use their own cups and then place in a paper bag as their risk assessment found when the train jerks people are prone to squeeze the cup and spill over themselves or someone else.

I was on a Scotrail train today and heard the customer host who was operating the trolley tell a customer that he would carry a hot drink to the customers seat because they were not allowed to let a customer do it in case the customer spilt the drink and injured themselves. It is clearly dangerous for customers to carry hot drinks through a moving train.

Which made me think that, clearly, the RMT, in its pursuit of safety, would now demand the replacement of inherently dangerous buffets by trolleys.

And then again, maybe not!

There's two other reasons why we won't use reusable cups:
1.  Some reusable cups are tall and thus a bit top heavy. There is potential that the cup could tip over on rough track and the hot contents could end up scolding someone.
2.  There have been incidents where passengers, not necessarily on GWR, have used their own cups to purchase a hot drink and have scolded their mouths and have tried to sue the company because they weren't told their hot drink was hot. Disposable cups have a warning on them.

Basically, welcome to the compensation culture we live in.

Some time ago, a member of the catering staff in first class managed to throw (accidentally!) a cup of tea at me (fortunately my free Times bore the brunt!), so it's not just passengers!

Even Starbucks (another example is Waitrose) manages to let you use reusuable cups, so why the railways couldn't is anyones guess! Just needs some sort of disclaimer at the point of sale I would think.

The HF-W programme was eye-opening. I (like virtually everyone else, apparently) believed that dropping my Starbucks/Costa/Caffe Nero/GWR cup into a recycling bin meant it had a high chance of being recycled. Not so: the plastic lining (to make the cup waterproof) renders the cardboard cup non-recyclable. Also, hygiene regs mean the cup can't be made from recycled material in the first place so all of the millions of coffee cups used daily come from new material. Yet, mysteriously, the companies' own websites seem to painting a very positive green picture. Worth watching on iPlayer if you didn't see it. If anyone can move the needle it's Hugh in his geeky glasses!

My favourite bit was that Amazon flew their Head of Sustainability over from California to be interviewed. If you look up 'oxymoron' in the dictionary, does it say 'see that'?

Starbucks isn't jolting about as you return to your seat!

Not forgetting Starbucks telling him they were introducing a 50p discount for filling reusable cups. They've scrapped this before it went to air!

Pedant alert

Looks as if someone needs to be scolded about getting into very hot water (scalded).

 Ironic really that on a trip to Totnes yesterday, the car park was littered with bits of card.

 The previous evening the Totnes green party were 'lobbying' traveller's.

True!

In my work place, we have a whole range of coffee cups with lids, clear water cups, cutlery, assorted takeaway food containers from the canteen, every single one of which is made from vegetable material and is fully compostable, so it does prove that it can be done if there is a will. I'm not sure if it is permitted on forum rules (mods please remove if necessary), but the company is Vegware - it appears from their website that River Cottage support them.

So did Natalie Bennet want to use her own mug or want GWR to serve in reusable ones? I'd think the reason the latter doesn't happen is that it's effectively a takeaway; let people carry a 'proper' mug back to their seat and they're likely to carry it off the train.

How about GWR, and other TOCs, providing hot beverages in suitably reusable cups for which the passenger initially pays a nominal extra sum?

Such a vessel could incorporate a lid and be emblazoned with full information regarding the dangers of inappropriately used hot liquids.  ;D

I am aware of some outlets selling a branded stainless steel insulated cup with lid that can be refilled. They are rather tall with a small base, but perhaps someone could develop a version with a larger base.  A GWR branded version would look very good.

I was tempted to click 'Like' on everything in this topic. Utterly fascinating.

I suspect the spokesperson said something else, but the shoddy journalist couldn't spell. In fact they've actually changed it now.

I suspect you're right!