I had to fly to Detroit a week and a half ago. Naturally, I got all of my reusables together for the journey- metal to-go container, metal chopsticks, Klean Kanteen to-go coffee mug and Klean Kanteen water bottle. I was feeling pretty smart.
I packed us a breakfast in the metal to-go container because we left extremely early to catch a cheaper flight. We also prepped coffee for the drive to LAX.
On the way to Detroit, we had a layover in Las Vegas. I wanted some more coffee (because you know, a 2:30am wake-up call is brutal) so I stood in the very long line for Starbucks. After about twenty minutes (and me questioning life choices) I finally got to place my order but they refused to fill up our to-go mugs. The woman at the register quickly redirected me to the manager after I explained briskly that I can't use the cups Starbucks provides because they are lined with plastic and when hot liquids hit that plastic it becomes carcinogenic. I explained that I then get tumors (all of this came flying out of my mouth, I was desperate but in reality, it's the truth. There's always that second voice in your head saying, "oh no, you are becoming "one of those people.")
The manager looked at me and asked if the cups were clean. I said no, they had a few drops of coffee in them from the previous cup. She said they couldn't fill them unless they were clean- I asked how can I clean them. The manager explained that I would have to go rinse them in the bathroom. I then negotiated with her- yes, if I go do this I can pay for the beverages now and then just give the clean containers to the barista instead of waiting in line again and potentially missing my flight. It was on. I went scurrying to find the nearest bathroom. I was flustered and confused- embarrassed and tired; I almost walked in the men's bathroom because in the Vegas Airport they put two separate men's bathrooms side by side (why, Vegas, why???). A kind man pointed out the women's was directly across the way (Thank you!) Then success. I flew back with my clean cups and the manager herself made the drinks. I thanked her profusely, hoping that this awkward exchange would help the next person who brings in a to-go container in an effort to save her/himself and the planet.
Now Detroit...before the direct flight home, I once again tried to get coffee in our (now and officially) squeaky clean to-go mugs. This time the barista flat-out refused to fill them. I could see her steeling herself against my logic- the killer plastic lining the cups, it saves money, they are clean, etc. But she wouldn't do it. I get it, she is just doing her job. My irritation is not at her, it's at our system. Our system that says that this is a Health Code violation even though the cup doesn't actually come into contact with anything that could transfer to another person (the liquid is poured into the container) and if it's for the protection of the barista, then why are they allowed to touch money? Cash is filthy (read about fecal matter on paper money here). So what is it really about?
I refused to get any coffee at that Starbucks for myself. I did get coffee for my bf in one of their Starbucks cups (perhaps another blog post about zero waste/nongmo/organic & dating) but I didn't purchase any for myself. I instead went walked down the terminal until I found another coffee shop and asked if they would be able to put coffee in my mug. The woman at the register asked her manager. The manager said that they would put coffee in my cup. She explained that they used not do that but since so many people brought in to-go mugs, they changed their policy (strength in numbers!). Victory. I thanked and tipped them.
In California, if you bring a to-go container, even if dirty, Starbucks will not only rinse it for you but give you a ten cents discount. They also always fill up my water bottle with their delicious filtered water! I guess I took these practices for granted. To me, it makes total sense- the company is saving money and we are all saving the planet. I must believe that this modern consumerist life also can co-exist with a healthy planet. When did the norm become single use plastics when really, not too long ago, plastic didn't exist? In the United States, we used to send a lot of our plastics to China. China is no longer accepting plastics from the West (read about it here) so the solution is pretty clear. The answer was never recycling, it is avoiding plastic altogether. Single use to-go containers seem like a very easy item to phase out first.
Thanks for reading!!