The City of Victoria is running a contest over the next month that looks to substantially cut down on the thousands of coffee cups getting thrown into local waste bins every day.
The city is encouraging coffee drinkers to bring personal reusable cups to 22 participating cafes so they can qualify for the chance to win one of five prizes valued at $100.
“The most sustainable cup is the one you already own,” said Rory Tooke, Victoria's manager of sustainability.
“Cups continue to be the most prolific single-use item in the city’s garbage. With that in mind, we’re working closely with local businesses to make reusable to-go mugs the norm, using a friendly challenge now to create long-term habits.”
Interested residents can pick up a wallet-sized stamp card from city hall and then get a stamp every time they use their reusable cup at the participating businesses between Sept. 17 and Oct. 18. Each stamp will be entered into a draw where five zero-waste kits will be up for grabs. The kits include gift cards and reusable products that can help people reduce their waste from everyday activities.
The city hopes the contest entices more people to bring their own mugs as it says 7,000 single-use cups are thrown in public waste bins every day.
Victoria designed the contest and its associated education campaign by collaborating with local shops.
“This initiative combines the two important goals of supporting local businesses while caring for our environment," said Shane Devereaux, Habit Coffee owner, in a city news release. "Victoria residents have made bringing their own bag a common practice and now it's time to reduce our reliance on disposable cups."
A list of participating coffee shops and more information about the contest can be found at www.victoria.ca/home-property/waste-collection/waste-reduction.
Victoria council this month adopted the city's new bylaw that will look to reduce the number of single-use items in circulation. The bylaw will require businesses to hand out single-use food accessories upon customer request as of December. As of March 2026, it will also compel businesses to provide reusable dishware – such as plates, cups and cutlery – only to customers who are dining on-site.
