Vancouver’s 25-cent fee on disposable cups has raked in millions, but no one can say if it’s cutting trash volumes

For about a year, Continental Coffee House on Commercial Drive has been offering reusable cups after the City of Vancouver imposed a citywide fee on disposable cups.

Few of its customers opt in.

“They do not take advantage of it hardly at all, surprisingly,” said manager Jessica Allan.

While more regulars bring in their own cups now — which Allan says has helped reduce the store’s disposables by 25 to 30 per cent — most customers don’t seem fussed about being charged 25 cents for each disposable cup.

“They just take in stride.”