Reusable K-Cup Program

Delicious coffee without the waste

All ASU departments can now participate in the Reusable K-Cup® Program. This follows a successful 2024 pilot in the University Services Building with over 300 employees on the Tempe campus.

View the Reusable K-Cup Checklist to learn more about implementing the program in your work area. To qualify for the grant, departments should have at least 30 regular coffee users. Email University Sustainability Practices with questions about program eligibility. Submit a Reusable K-Cup Program interest form to get started. 

Submit your request

The first 10 departments that sign up will receive up to $500 from the Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund to cover the costs of a coffee grinder, one month of Fair Trade coffee and one reusable K-Cup per employee. 

SIRF grant application deadlines are Oct. 31, 2025, and Feb. 27, 2026.

Saves money

• Purchase whole beans instead of K-Cup pods and save approximately $0.30 per cup. Small savings add up.
• Lowers recycling costs. In FY 2024, ASU spent nearly $6,000 to recycle 1,645 lb. of K-Cups — roughly 58,000 individual pods.

Encourages sustainability

• Reduces plastic waste. A typical office uses about 2,000 K-Cups annually, sending unnecessary plastic waste to landfills.
• Puts coffee grinds to work. Most units discard grinds when they throw away coffee pods. Reusable K-Cups let you compost coffee grinds, which helps the environment.
• Inspires staff to make other positive environmental changes that support ASU’s sustainability goals.
• Uses fair trade coffee to align with ASU’s Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines and Fair Trade Campus Commitment. 

Email University Sustainability Practices with questions or for more information.