"Hemsby Cup" launches to encourage green tourism

Cafes and restaurants in Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth, are launching a scheme to help put an end to single use disposable takeaway cups in time for the busy summer season.

Customers will be encouraged to borrow a 'Hemsby Cup' in return for a £2 deposit, enjoy their takeaway drink and once finished, return the cup back to any participating café to get their money back.

Why? Because 2.5 billion takeaway cups are used and thrown away each year in the UK, with around 500,000 cups being littered every day. Less than 1 in 400 are currently recycled.

The Hemsby Cup can be used over 1,000 times and is fully recyclable.

Nine businesses have already signed up to the scheme, which is free for businesses to participate in thanks to funding from the Circular Economy FACET project.

FACET is a cross-European project to encourage 'circular' solutions which reduce waste, and includes projects in Netherlands, Belgium, and France as well as the UK, and is being delivered locally by Norfolk County Council working jointly with Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Cllr Paul Wells, chairman of the environment committee, said: "It's great to see that many businesses are thinking about how to prevent waste, move to a circular economy model and are making an effort to help the environment by becoming more sustainable.

"Changing to the use of reusable cups like the Hemsby Cup scheme means that customers and businesses can make positive changes to benefit the environment."

Cllr James Bensly, who runs the Beach Café in Hemsby, said "The FACET community cup scheme for Hemsby is exactly what the tourism industry and local economy needs, a practical tool to help the visitors and local community in a more sustainable circular economy. This is a brave idea and one the businesses of Hemsby are embracing and we encourage others to follow suit.

Known for its beach, range of eateries and amusements including a fun fair and bingo, crazy golf and several clubs providing family entertainment including dancing and nightly discos, Hemsby is a popular tourist attraction and resident favourite, making an effort to 'green' its offering.

FACET (Facilitate the Adoption of Circular Entrepreneurship in the Tourism and leisure sector) is an Interreg 2Seas project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk County Council.

Any businesses wanting to get involved should contact benjamin.gulliver@great-yarmouth.gov.uk to express interest.