Inside Seattle s attempts to embrace reusable packaging

Get the Full StoryAnd why it s so hard to scale up these efforts nationwide.

For several months last year, patrons of a Seattle coffee shop called Tailwind Cafe had the option of ordering their Americanos and lattes in returnable metal to-go cups. Customers could simply borrow a cup from Tailwind, go on their way, and then at some point perhaps a few hours later, perhaps on another day that week return the cup to the shop, which would clean it and refill it for the next person. If it wasn t returned within 14 days, the customer would be charged a 15 deposit, though even that was ultimately refundable if the cup was returned by the end of 45 days.

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