question about Dunkin Donuts

[arianna]

Okay, so I have to admit, despite that they don't use fair trade coffee (among other issues I might have with them), I'm a sucker for DD coffee. But I've always wanted to use a mug there, and have never tried. I do know that they sell mugs that I assume they welcome people using at their stores. But can anyone tell me how they react to people who bring in their own, that might not be "standard sized"? I have heard (and I cannot for the life of me remember where) that sometimes, in order to make sure they are charging you for the correct size, some coffee shops still use a disposable cup (that they then toss) to measure out the correct amount before transferring it to the customer's travel mug. I find that to be entirely unacceptable, because a large part of why I use a mug is to reduce the amount of waste I personally contribute. So I was wondering whether anyone can tell me if they know what Dunkin Donuts' policy about mugs might be, and/or how they tend to handle it? I have always been kind of "scared" to try mugs at DD because they don't try to make their image Earth-friendly, and thus I don't know if their workers have been trained to deal with us "weirdos" who don't want to carry around DD-branded disposable cups whenever we stop in for some caffeine. :)

Sorry for the long-winded & somewhat dense question. I would appreciate any input on this matter! I've been looking for an answer for ages.

(I should add that I don't purchase brewed coffee all that often, or else I probably would have tested the limits of DD's handling of mugs by now.)

[Joseph Porcelli]

Hey Arianna,

Great question. I checked out their website and found on https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/credentials/ that "Dunkin' Donuts offers 100% Fair Trade Certified™ espresso, cappuccino and lattes!" which I did not know.

In regards to your Mug question I left a message on their media inquiry line and hope to get an answer we will publish here.

Mugs Up!

[arianna]

Hi Joseph,
Thanks! That is great news about their espresso; I had no idea. And thank you so much for placing the inquiry; whatever the news turns out to be, I'm sure I will be mentioning it to everyone I know. :) I look forward to finding out one way or another (but I do hope it's good news for us mug-users!)

Thanks so much,
Arianna

p.s. I should add to this comment for posterity's sake (because I did go look it up, too) that DD does use fair trade coffee for ALL of its espresso drinks - that is, you don't have to go to the counter & specifically request it. Their policy is to use 100% fair trade beans for all drinks of that type. Now, all we need is to see them do the same for their normal coffee, which is the truly big seller there, I would guess.... Well, baby steps! :)

[Joseph Porcelli]

I am curious to know too. Will let you know as soon as I hear!

[Joseph Porcelli]

Hey, so I heard back from Dunkin's Donuts and they are currently working on developing a way to incorporate mugs which is really exciting. They'll get back to us when they get it worked out.

[arianna]

That's great!! Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing how it all turns out!

[Danielle]

My job requires a significant amount of travel so, naturally, I stop for coffee once or twice a day at Dunkin Donuts. I recently saw a sign in a DD that said, 'We are no longer able to re-fill unclean coffee mugs...' I assumed this had to do with sanitation concerns. My concern is how do I contribute to this great cause if I can't clean my mug while on the road? I have rinsed my mug out in the bathroom facilities, however there are some facilities that I wouldn't dare rinse my hands in, forget about the mug I'm about to drink from! Any suggestions for the tired traveler who can't bring in a clean mug?? I hate drinking from styrofoam!! Credit to you guys for starting this movement. It's eye opening, and I hope others join the cause.

[Joseph Porcelli]

This is a great question.

Let me give this some thought and I'll get back to you in a couple!

[Desie]

If you have time to get out of your car and go in to DD, (instead of drive thru)
most of them have reasonably clean ladies rooms (hopefully men's too) where
you could wash out your mug before going to the counter. Otherwise, I guess you
need to carry 2 mugs.