With the average disposable coffee cup taking as long as 50 years to break down in a landfill and it being suggested that close to 2.5 billion of them are tossed away every year, it’s probably a good idea we use less of them but for those that need an extra push some places offer discounts if you bring your own cup, so we’ve collated all the locations where you can save money on your hot drinks by bringing your own mug/cup/flask etc. Of course, brewing your own hot drinks on the go, at work, or at home will generally be cheaper, but we understand not everyone can do this.
See the full list of shops below.
What are the best mugs/flasks to buy?
We’ve used so many different cups and flasks over the years and with 14 years experience the best buy is the
- Yeti Flask with HotShot Lid (these are next level, expensive but well worth it)
Followed by:
Should I just try and persuade my boss / my other half to buy a decent coffee machine instead?
The short answer is probably but it will depend on the amount of coffee/hot drinks you drink on average per week, whilst studies show coffee improves productivity at work and a Harvard study showed a 20% lower risk of being depressed for those drinking 5+ cups a day 1.
These coffee machines are the best bang for your £.
Which high street locations offer a discount/incentive if you bring your own mug/flask?
Correct as of April 2024 (please let us know if any changes)
- Pret 50p
- Costa – scan your rewards app every 6th drink is free (with reusable cup)
- Waitrose free coffee when you buy anything in-store
- Starbucks 25p + you avoid the 5p paper cup charge
- Patisserie Valerie 50p
- Caffe Nero Double loyalty stamps
- M&S 25p – Although this isn’t made public knowledge so could be location specific
- Harris and Hoole (Tesco Cafes) 20p (was 35p)
- Greggs 20p
- Leon 45p
- Subway 25p – only if you use their branded cups – no online confirmation
- Ikea’s “family” membership scheme gives you free tea and coffee Monday to Friday.
Which local/independent/smaller locations offer a discount:
The following hasn’t been updated since 2019
- Paul 50p
- Wholefoods 50p
- Picturehouse Cinema 25p
- Timhortons 10p
- Coffee #1 25p
- LNER Trains 25p
- Pure 50p
- Coffee Republic 15p
- University College London’s campus 10% or 10p
- Loughborough University 10% off.
- Leeds University 10p
- Soderberg (Edinburgh) 50p
- Crussh 25p
- Spicer + Cole 15p
Which companies don’t offer a discount?
- Marks & Spencer
- Lola’s Cupcakes
- Itsu
- Protein Haus
- Birley
- Eat
- Wasabi
- Cafe Brera
- Kruger
- Bene Bene
- Tortilla
- Itsu
- Apostrophe
- Black Sheep
- Grateful Kitchen
- Cpress
- Island Poke
- Taylor Street Baristas.
Information gathered from our Research, Standard, InYourArea, MoneySavingExpert