Central Ohio
Columbus Coffee Shop Reuse Program
CORC has succeeded in creating a network of cafes powered by a tech Okapi platform. In this network, you can buy your coffee in one shop and drop the cup off in another network shop, getting a clean cup with your next order.
We have demonstrated that an open-loop reuse network can succeed and provide a healthier, more sustainable model for take-out beverages than the current linear make-take-waste model of disposable cups.
Central Ohio has over 90 independently owned coffee shops. After one year, the program has diverted over 2,000 disposable coffee cups from landfill, has reduced litter, and has laid the foundations for a circular economy.
Single use containers have a huge negative impact on the environment. Did you know that Americans use over 130 million disposable cups per day?
How It Works
Cups are managed like library books:
Check out >> Use >> Return >> Check out again.
Customers join the program for $10, then use the Okapi app to check out containers.
Check out up to two cups at a time.
Return to a participating cafe within 2 weeks.
Forgot your cup? No problem; get another one!
Coffee shop (not you!) cleans the cup.
In Columbus, 500,000 disposable coffee cups are thrown away each day! Every time you drink with a reusable cup you are keeping single use waste out of the environment.
In The News
WOSU Public Media
Reusable cup program to launch at two Columbus-area coffee shops in new year
Columbus Free Press
Central Ohio Reuse Coalition to Launch Circular Economy Pilot in Bexley and Columbus
The Columbus Dispatch
You'll soon be able to check out coffee cups like library books at two Columbus area shops
Participating Locations
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2365 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
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2 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
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661 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085
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367 E Hudson St, Columbus, OH 43202
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4066 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
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1134 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
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3535 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
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1043 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
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2424 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
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495 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
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693 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085
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1400 Holly Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
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471 W Rich St, Columbus, OH 43215
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3535 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
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661 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085
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2738 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
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3264 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
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1485 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205
PRP-Columbus is a proud member of the Central Ohio Reuse Coalition.
CORC believes that reuse saves lives, saves money, and creates jobs. Our Initiatives are:
Implement
Outreach and education strategies to create public demand for circular policies and solutions.
Advocate
Assisting with the implementation sensible policies and procedures that encourage reusable solutions and reduce disposables.
Encourage
Business owners, institutions, and event planners to facilitate a circular economy based on closed-loop solutions that replace disposables with reusables.
CORC is made up of nonprofits, local sustainability groups, green businesses, faith-based organizations and committed individuals who live and work in Central Ohio. CORC envisions a Central Ohio where the reuse of food and drink containers in businesses and schools is the model of choice and is supported by a reuse infrastructure.
Want to get in contact?
Fill out this form to get in contact with our Central Columbus chapter.
Central Ohio Reuse Coalition Members:
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Technical and Financial Support From:
