Why the paper cups?

[foxyrider]

I'm just getting back into the habit of making cafe stops on my rides, a fresh cuppa and a chunk of cake really do make a ride more enjoyable.

Now I know there were concerns in the early days of Covid about crockery use, if you could buy food/drink it arrived on/in disposable tableware. It has now been several months since we were allowed back inside eating establishments, when we went out to eat back in May we had real glasses, china plates and proper cutlery however recent experience has been that over 50% of my recent cafe stops are still using expensive single use plates/cups/cutlery. Don't get me wrong, I'm just grateful that I can stop for sustenance again when i'm out but I do prefer my tea in a proper cup

So other than owner paranoia, is there any real reason or even guidance regarding the use of single use/proper tableware? Is the use of single use tableware an admittance that your hygiene levels are low, that your cleaning regimen is poor?

Just an idle question

[Jdsk]

So other than owner paranoia, is there any real reason or even guidance regarding the use of single use/proper tableware?

The guidance:
"Adapting restaurants and food delivery during COVID-19"
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidan ... g-covid-19

"Reopening and adapting your food business during COVID-19"
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidan ... -takeaways

Jonathan

[speedsixdave]

Coz Covid, innit?

There still seems to be a lot of that sort of thing about, and it's getting a bit depressing. Some people have thoroughly enjoyed the power of queues and one-way systems and all that business. I accept that some places have had trouble replacing staff post-re-opening and it may be easier on an overstretched staff to chuck rather than wash. It may even be cheaper, god help us, when you factor in staff time too. But we're all slowly burning to death, and this kind of waste is not helping.

[foxyrider]

So other than owner paranoia, is there any real reason or even guidance regarding the use of single use/proper tableware?

The guidance:
"Adapting restaurants and food delivery during COVID-19"
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidan ... g-covid-19

"Reopening and adapting your food business during COVID-19"
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidan ... -takeaways

Jonathan

Having just scanned both of those, the only reference to tableware is the filling of customers own 'equipment' which is clearly aimed at the likes of Costa. As far as I can see there is nothing that precludes the use of proper crockery/cutlery providing that 'usual' cleaning regimes are followed. Given that two establishments in the last 3 visits had uncleared tables when i arrived that were still uncleared when i left suggests poor management and cleaning standards, the use of single use tableware at both those places might just be coincidence.....

[eileithyia]

It might be due to bulk buying, my hairdressers had to use disposable cups during the early days of reopening (unfathomable really as we were told that washing items in detergent killed the virus and they certainly don't give us unwashed cups) , however they now have 500 cups to get through....

[mjr]

There still seems to be a lot of that sort of thing about, and it's getting a bit depressing. Some people have thoroughly enjoyed the power of queues and one-way systems and all that business. [...]

What's really depressing is the frequent accusations that people trying to do their best are jumped-up little dictators enjoying the power. I think there are very few such people because I met only one in the months of restrictions we endured (and I have yet to go into their branch again even now).

Having just scanned both of those, the only reference to tableware is the filling of customers own 'equipment' which is clearly aimed at the likes of Costa.

It seems almost to be encouraging refusal of reusable cups and bottles, which is a disgrace. Advising caution and review of procedures is fine, but "If you are unable to accommodate reusable customer containers, you should explain to customers that you are unable to use their equipment at this time" seems like bad advice. Surely they should review their processes to eliminate cross-contamination between drinking vessels, especially now, else any washing-up failure will be spreading harm far beyond the dirty cup.

Fortunately, I've not visited anywhere refusing reusables for months now, possibly since the last time takeaways reopened.

[simonhill]

Could be stock in hand and or staff shortages. There are frequent reports that it is hard to get staff, so maybe 'dropping' the washing up is an easy option. The fact that tables were uncleared may point to this.

Went into a pub on Friday. It was like going back a few months. The woman served from behind an all encompassing plastic screen, with just enough space to slide a pint underneath. It was served in a 'plastic' and I was told to drop the empty in a rubbish box outside when I had finished. They also only took cash.

[mjr]

Went into a pub on Friday. It was like going back a few months. The woman served from behind an all encompassing plastic screen, with just enough space to slide a pint underneath. It was served in a 'plastic' and I was told to drop the empty in a rubbish box outside when I had finished. They also only took cash.

Interesting. I went into a pub on Monday and there were still screens across the bar and outside doors left open and table service, plus a greeter doing temperature checks (the first I've not done to myself since last March!), but we did get drinks in proper glasses and they took whatever as payment. I'd probably go there again.

It seems rather difficult to figure out in advance which pubs are doing what. I've been in at least one pub a few weeks ago that was back to "the old normal" with people sat at the unscreened bar, talking to the staff so probably unintentionally spitting in pints as they were pulled. I picked a bottled beer, which is rarely my first choice.

[Grandad]

My latte during this morning's ride came in the traditional tall glass cup / beaker(?}

[Paulatic]

I had a great week cycling in Yorkshire last week. I realised the last 18 mth has broken my cafe habit. I did have two stops both because there was a lot of outdoor tables. Thirsk paper cup but it was bought as a takeaway. Easingwold proper cups, plates and teapot.
Finally made a visit to Spa cycles too thanks to meeting a cyclist who was going that way. Might have struggled to find it without guide.

[mattsccm]

Easier than washing up.

[Steve]

Along with all this disposable tat, is that it gets harder to find cafes which offer a proper pot of tea! Does my head in.

[[XAP]Bob]

Coz Covid, innit?

There still seems to be a lot of that sort of thing about, and it's getting a bit depressing. Some people have thoroughly enjoyed the power of queues and one-way systems and all that business. I accept that some places have had trouble replacing staff post-re-opening and it may be easier on an overstretched staff to chuck rather than wash. It may even be cheaper, god help us, when you factor in staff time too. But we're all slowly burning to death, and this kind of waste is not helping.

I really enjoy the power…. To reduce virus transmission.


And to the OP - take a mug with you…

[Jdsk]

Could be... staff shortages.

Staff shortages sound the most likely explanation to me.

Jonathan

[Lookrider]

I dont use paper or plastic anymore and I will ask a cafe beforehand if they have real cutlery
Proper cutlery left on a table states that this table needs cleared and cleaned evictivley
Paper plates etc are binned by the customer and a table will rarely get a proper cleaning as staff cannot see it's just been used

Paper cups plates etc whilst many say ..yes but there recyclable???
They are vastly bulky so they fill a bin liner very fast resulting in more bin liner waste ..this needs transported to waste factory and costs the cafe so they charge us more for food as they must have more waste cost
If its council bins then they have more waste that needs collected by Van's polluting the air and also will increase your council tax to pay for the Van's
These recyclable cups are transpoted by polluting trucks to be sorted in a factory powered by fossil fuels
They are then recycled into whatever by another factory powered by fossil fuels
And then transported by polluting trucks back to the cafe at another expense to the owner which us passed to us

Avoid cafes with this policy and let them know and they soon change there business plan if no customers are coming in

Alternatively like supermarket bags
Tax a one use throw away cup