Cup Confusion: The Flailing Auraki Returnable Mug Scheme

Words by Elliot Davis (he/him)

In February, the Te Herenga Waka Instagram account (@wellington_uni) proclaimed the uni to be single-use cup free. However, some students have noticed the reintroduction of single-use cups at Louis’, and those who choose iced beverages will also know that The Lab has always served these in single-use, plastic, takeaway cups. 

The Auraki returnable cup scheme, which has been operating in its current form since 2020, aims to provide reusable cups on campus for those of us who forget our own keep cups. Since 2020, an estimated 2500 returnable cups have been provided to cafes. A small percentage, however, have not been returned, either breaking or ending up in flats. The Auraki mugs were both donated by staff and students and sourced from op-shops. This was intended to promote sustainability and use existing resources rather than creating new ones. The university estimates an incredible 200,000 single-use cups have been avoided through the use of the Auraki scheme. The day-to-day operation of the scheme is handled by the cafés themselves. 

Salient spoke to a representative from Louis’ café, who explained that they have elected to reintroduce single-use cups. A  decrease in the overall number of cups has meant less have been available for the cafés, which has rendered the Louis’ Auraki stand empty. The spokesperson for Louis’ said that it is their responsibility to collect the cups from the buckets and drop them off to their dishie at Milk and Honey, who washes and distributes them between the two shops. Their dishie has the responsibility of Milk and Honey dishes on top of this role.

Confusingly, it’s a different story when it comes to The Lab. When ordering an iced coffee, it is served in a plastic cup, with a rice flour straw. After Salient asked for a have-here iced coffee, they explained that the plastic cups are the only option, as the glasses are for hot drinks only. The Lab has other locations around Wellington, which do offer iced coffees in glasses. While the Auraki scheme could expand to include vessels for iced drinks, The Lab does have their own dishes and could relocate some of their glasses from their three other locations in town. 

What seems to be the university’s flagship climate policy is failing cafés, students, and the environment in 2023. While students may miss having the option to get a reusable mug or glass on campus, what it seems to come down to is a lack of communication between cafés and the sustainability team on campus.