Reusable is Swonderful
CORC and Swonderful Times Café to Launch Bexley’s First Reusable Cup Pilot Program
Bexley, Ohio — January 13, 2025— In a significant step towards reducing single-use waste in the local community, Swonderful Times Café is excited to announce a new pilot program in partnership with the Central Ohio Reuse Coalition (CORC) and Green Bexley. This initiative is set to make sustainable coffee habits more accessible by introducing Bexley’s first returnable to-go coffee cup program.
Starting January 13, 2025, customers at Swonderful Times Café inside Chambers Music Studio on Main Street will have the option to “borrow” a reusable coffee cup and tracking system through Okapi. By paying a one-time refundable fee of $10, participants can order their drinks in a reusable cup, helping to keep hundreds of disposable cups out of landfills. Each time customers return for another beverage, they simply bring back their used cup and receive a fresh one—no need to wash or dispose of single-use cups.
How It Works:
- Step 1: Pay a $10 deposit to join the program.
- Step 2: Borrow a reusable cup with each order.
- Step 3: Return your used cup for a clean one on your next visit—we will clean and sanitize.
This program reflects a growing shift toward circularity in the food and beverage industry, aligning with efforts to replace disposable plastics with sustainable alternatives. CORC estimates that in Columbus alone, around 500,000 disposable cups enter the waste stream daily. Through this pilot, Swonderful Times Café hopes to demonstrate that reusability can be both practical and sustainable, benefiting local businesses and the environment alike.
Environmental Benefits
Every reusable cup used at Swonderful Times Café reduces the need for hundreds of single-use items, contributing to cleaner streets, parks, and landfills. The pilot aims to reduce disposable waste, support a healthier planet, and pave the way for similar programs across the region.
About CORC
The Central Ohio Reuse Coalition (CORC) is committed to a sustainable Central Ohio where reuse of food and drink containers in businesses and schools is standard. Comprising nonprofits, sustainability advocates, green businesses, and local supporters, CORC envisions a circular economy that creates jobs and supports environmental health across Central Ohio. CORC is also part of the Plastic Reduction Project, a national initiative to reduce plastic waste.
About Swonderful Times Café
Nestled inside Chambers Music Studio Main St, Swonderful Times Café is a community-centered café with a mission to foster connection and environmental responsibility in Bexley. By serving ethically sourced coffee and introducing initiatives like the reusable cup program, Swonderful Times Café brings a fresh, sustainable approach to Main Street’s coffee culture.
About ESAC
The Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC) is charged with implementing the Bexley Zero Waste Plan, aiming to achieve a 90% reduction in landfill disposal. Working with the city’s Sustainability Programs Coordinator, ESAC advises on green policies, waste reduction, and energy issues to create a more sustainable future for Bexley.
About Okapi
Each year, 120 billion single-use disposable cups are discarded in the U.S., with the vast majority ending up in landfills. OKAPI offers an innovative solution to this waste crisis by making it simple to ditch single-use cups. Through a seamless borrowing system, customers can enjoy their drinks in stylish, reusable cups from participating cafes, helping to create a more sustainable future—one cup at a time.
Join us at Swonderful Times Café as we kick off this program and be part of a cleaner, greener Bexley. For more information, visit Facebook or contact CORC at corc@plasticreductionproject.org.
