Sunday, July 3, 2011

Dunkin' Donuts, WHAT ARE YOU THINKIN' ?

Let's sell some iced coffee and spread some more polystyrene (aka styrofoam) into the environment? More free trash for our "throw away" society!!!

Yesterday, needing to stay awake late in the day, I went into the nearest Dunkin' Donuts and purchased a medium iced coffee.  It was handed to me with the plastic cup inserted into a styrofoam cup which apparently is meant to act as an insulator.  I, nor any of the customers in front of me, asked for this extra cup, yet we all received one.  For would be litterers it's a twofer!
Is this how a socially responsible corporation acts...  especially when they know that poylstyrene is one of the worst man-made products to release into the environment? (Caught off-guard this time, next time this customer will refuse it).
At a minimum, this should be something customers need to ask for and there should be an additional charge.  Wouldn't a re-usable neoprene insulator bearing their logo be a better option?  

7 comments:

Harry said...

Dumbest thing I've ever heard of, and proof of a company that isn't even close to getting it. Almost everywhere I go, a little bit of Dunkin styrofoam rears its ugly head. And yet they don't stop.

BERNIE said...

Here is one of four priorities Dunkin Donuts posts on their website: Our Planet: We recognize that everything we do has an impact on the environment. From the materials we use, to the way we construct and operate our stores, we are committed to adopting better, more sustainable approaches whenever possible.
Send comments on their contact site:
http://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/help/contactus.html
or phone at: 781-737-3000

BERNIE said...

Just watched a bit of PBS, "Need to Know" about an org called Carrotmob (see wikipedia definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrotmob) Another way to influence businesses to make Green Choices.
Bernie

BERNIE said...

Here is the PBS website with the Carrotop video episode. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/culture/video-using-carrots-not-sticks-to-get-companies-to-do-good/10308/

Using carrots instead of sticks to get companies to do good.

Al said...

Bernie, Interesting stuff about Carrotops. Also interesting is the word "buycott". Never heard that term before.

So, I ask of Dunkin Donuts, Honey Dew, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, Seven-11, Cumberland Farms, et all:

Do any of you, presently, refuse to provide styrofoam coffee containers?

Would any of you give a discounted price to those customers providing their own coffee containers? If yes, how much of a discount?

Do any of you accept return of empty plastic containers bearing your logo and commit to recycling such containers?

If the above named chains are reluctant to publicly respond, can anyone answer in their behalf?

Lisa said...

I've had issues with Starbucks making my coffee in a disposable cup before putting it in my reusable cup. I have given up and make it at home, where I can control ingredients and waste.

I included this story in a post I just did on waste from coffee and how to make it greener- http://retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/2011/07/the-waste-of-coffee/

Good Girl Gone Green said...

And that is why I don't go to DD! Last time I went was 8yrs ago because they put my tea in a styrofoam cup! When will companies learn, actually I think they have learned and just don't care!