EU Starbucks Introduces New Refillable $150 Mug

Sophomore Erianna Benitez drinks one to two coffees every day as a commuter student, but a new $150 refillable mug at Elmhurst University’s Starbucks could make her coffee habits cheaper.

“I drink coffee every day, but I try to not buy it every day,” said Benitez. “I’m a morning person, so I have to wake up extra early if I have an 8 a.m. class, so I drink a coffee and then maybe later in the day have another coffee.”

The Mug Club is a new refillable mug program purchasable at the Starbucks at The Bean in the Frick Center and at the Buehler Cafe in the A.C. Buehler Library. The $150 mug, which includes brewed coffee and tea, can be refilled an unlimited number of times per day and is valid for the entire year. Speciality beverages with additional ingredients such as lattes, matcha, and refreshers are not included. The mug holds 13 ounces.

After about 41 cups, the mug pays for itself, according to Elizabeth Walters, Chartwells’ marketing manager. Because the Mug Club mug holds 13 ounces and the standard cafe cups are different sizes, Chartwells compared the $150 subscription price to the value of a 13-ounce serving, giving them approximately 41 cups of coffee.

“That would save me a good bit,” Benitez said. “I would do that halfway through the first semester.”

Students, faculty, or staff can purchase the mug with Bluejay Bucks though their Jaypass or any other acceptable form of payment. Subscribers also get 10% off pastries, snacks, and food at the time of refill. While that discount is limited to one use per day, Walters said this may evolve as Chartwells receives feedback.

“We took inspiration from similar programs at colleges across the country and adapted the idea for Elmhurst,” said Walters. “Our goal was to create something that supports reusable habits while offering meaningful value to our regular coffee and tea drinkers.”

Starbucks student worker Yaser Ba Siddiq thinks the refillable cup will be popular among students if they use their Jaypass money to buy it: “Everyone wants to spend it; no one wants to have leftover money. I think it’s a good deal with Jaypass.”

For some students, the mug’s value depends on what’s included. Sophomore Zak Ben Aribi spent up to $40 a week on coffee last year as a commuter and said he would consider joining the Mug Club if he were still commuting.

“Last year I spent a lot of money on coffee, but I’m a resident now and I just take the coffee from the cafe,” Ben Aribi said. “It’s not great but it’s free.”

Ben Aribi said he considered buying the mug with his Bluejay Bucks but ultimately decided not to because he prefers specialty drinks like iced lattes and matcha.

Sophomore Kelsey Bennet also chose not to purchase the mug because she prefers matcha and refreshers, but she thinks the program could be useful for commuters.

“I feel like it will be really popular among commuters, especially because they’re getting up early, driving here, staying here all day, and then leaving,” Bennet said. “That’s perfect for a commuter because they’re going to be getting coffee.”

Sophomores Madison Maxwell and Alexandra Pruszynski, who drink coffee two to three times a week, were unsure whether the Mug Club would be worth the $150 price. Maxwell said the mug wouldn’t be worthwhile — she prefers refreshers — while Pruszynski questioned whether she’d use the mug every day.

For senior Isabelle Ricci it’s a toss-up on whether the mug would be worth it. She said a lot of her Jaypass swipes go towards Starbucks, but she prefers chai and would like to see more options included in the program.

“I think maybe it would be beneficial, but I like the option of offering more choices if I were to do the refill,” Ricci said.

Walters said that feedback will be valuable as Chartwells evaluates the Mug Club during its first year.

“I’m excited that we can offer something new to our students, faculty, and staff that combines convenience, value, and sustainability,” Walters said. “Each year, we look for new programs that fit the needs and habits of our campus community, and subscription-style programs can be especially appealing to regular coffee and tea drinkers.”