Fifth generation, family-run catering equipment business Stephensons, is to officially launch a truly planet-friendly takeaway cup featuring the iconic Manchester bee at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show. Made from certified plastic-free paperboard it can be recycled with paper and cardboard and is fully compostable.
The cup celebrates the identity of the city and helps to cut single-use plastics, building on the momentum garnered from the success of Stephensons environmentally friendly bee straws, launched in 2018. A percentage of profits raised from the cup will go to the city’s highly esteemed charity, We Love MCR.
Made in the UK, the cup represents the best environmental choice where a reusable cup is not an available option. Adorned with the iconic Manchester worker bee, which has become a strong symbol of the city’s resilience and work ethic, its design originates from the striking Manchester bee mosaic which can be seen in the city’s town hall. Stephensons managing director, Henry Stephenson said: “We came up with the idea of putting the bee mosaic on a disposable cup when we launched the straw back in 2018, but it was only recently that the technology finally arrived, allowing us to put the bee on a truly sustainable, certified plastic-free cup. We’re proud to see both the cup and the straw as a simple but powerful statement from the city’s hospitality industry, reflecting its collective commitment to sustainability. As a Manchester-based business since 1868, we understand the pride and identity people associate with the Manchester bee, so to have the bee as a continued symbol of the city’s desire to limit single-use plastics is fantastic.”
As supporters of the Plastic Free GM Pledge, the cup sees Stephensons fulfil its longstanding ambition to launch a cup in a certified plastic-free material that is fully compostable and recyclable with paper and card. The newly released cup is available in 8oz and 12oz sizes, with 16oz soon to follow. It is to be sold into hospitality outlets, venues and event organisers, alongside independent coffee shops, universities, museums and beyond.Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford, who is Chair of We Love MCR, said: "I'm passionate about improving the city for all our communities, so it's fantastic to partner with Stephensons which shares that ambition. After the success of the bee straws, which I love to see across our city, I can’t wait to see their beautiful coffee cups in cafes, bars, and venues throughout Manchester. They'll make a great impact in helping reduce waste, and the donations made to We Love MCR will help us to improve more lives across Manchester.”
Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig, added: "I welcome this innovative initiative, which reduces environmental impact and invests in our community. The Manchester worker bee positively represents Manchester, so to see it on biodegradable coffee cups across the city will be a great way to celebrate our heritage whilst making a positive difference to our communities and our environment."
The cups will be officially launched at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show on Tuesday 14 March, before becoming available to independent hospitality businesses throughout the region. Participating exhibitors at the show will include coffee and drinks manufacturers and distributors, breweries & distilleries, hospitality caterers and an array of further hospitality professionals. A circa 5% donation from the sale of the cups will be made to the Lord Mayor’s We Love MCR fund, dedicated to supporting Manchester’s communities and young people.In 2018, Stephensons gained a licence to sell paper straws featuring the Manchester bee icon which, like the cups, donated a percentage of sales to We Love MCR, with over £5,000 raised to date.
The 100% recyclable straws were initially founded as the first step of a Greater Manchester initiative to eradicate avoidable single-use plastic; a move made prior to the government-imposed ban on plastic straws. The bee cup continues this heritage as another step towards cutting single-use plastics across the region whilst raising funds for the life-changing We Love MCR charity.