Environment News: Dunkin' Prohibits 'Double Cup' As Doughnut Giant Phases Out Styrofoam

Doughnut and coffee giant Dunkin' is banning a popular New England practice of putting a beverage into a second cup for extra insulation, known as "double-cupping," as the company will eliminate foam cups for paper ones. Dunkin' hopes the move will reduce its environmental impact.

By Dec. 1, all Dunkin' stores in the New England region will have carried out the change, with foam cups being phased out at all Dunkin' locations worldwide in 2020.

"Our brand is taking a stance against double-cupping and encouraging customers to 'break up with the double cup.' As we look ahead to how our brand can continue to serve both people and the planet responsibly, we wanted to proactively address this preventable habit that can contribute to unnecessary waste," Dunkin' Chief Operating Officer Scott Murphy said.

Polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam, is a major pollutant, with small particles of the foam often ingested by animals. Styrofoam can also take a long time to decompose, with some experts saying the process can take as long as 500 years.

The world produces over 14 million tons of Styrofoam each year, with Americans throwing away 25 billion Styrofoam cups annually. In July, New York City enforced its Styrofoam ban, with violators potentially fined as much as $1,000 or more for multiple offenses.

In 2018, McDonald's pledged to stop using foam packaging by the end of the year due to pressure from environmental activists.