Charlotte Korer ’27
Copy Editor
I am all for sustainability. I actively recycle, I put my napkins in the compost at Malott, and per the Sustainabiliteam article earlier this semester, I don’t turn off my HVAC. I do believe that the little things matter, even in the face of the vast corporate corruption of the Earth. But, per Earth Day on April 22 and the Motley’s lack of to-go cups, I feel as though we need to reevaluate their attempts at sustainability.
To first establish my credentials as a frequent Motley user, I go at least every other day on average. I even bring my own cup most of the time! All the energy I don’t spend on washing dishes from my beautiful 14-meal plan goes to scrubbing out my 24 ounce neon green Starbucks cup that waits patiently by the door until my next Motley visit. (Screw a straw, it’s too much work to wash out and I can’t properly enjoy the cold foam).
The Scripps Voice pays its writers in Motley coupons (so come write for us!) so although my flex ran out in mid-March, I have not been deprived of my near-daily drink. I have already gone through one Sustainabiliteam x Motley punch card for bringing my own reusable cup eight times, and I am sick of it!
So, three days ago, when I got my 16 ounce iced spicy chai with oat milk and vanilla cold foam by using my vibrant Motley coupon and was charged an additional 50 cents for the to-go cup, I nearly lost my mind. In what world does a free drink not include the cup itself?! Thankfully, I had 50 cents of my laundry fund (a.k.a. Claremont Cash) that was able to pay for the cup.
Additionally, I believe that the straws should once again be left out on the counter. We all want to save the turtles and are aware of the costs of single-use plastic, so shouldn’t we be allowed to make our own informed decision without having to flag down a barista?
The lack of straws also pose an accessibility issue. For students with mobility and strength issues, it’s particularly difficult to hold up a drink without spilling it and this isn’t exactly helped by the massive size of the Motley mugs. While the Motley does advertise that you can have a straw when you ask for one, they often run out and leave you to shoulder the heavy mug all on your own.
Despite my appreciation of the Motley’s colorful assortment of mugs, what I don’t believe in is punishments, such as an additional charge, for being in a rush and not wanting a mug in my possession while I sacrifice my ID card.
While many people would suck it up and pay the additional fee for a to-go up, I have talked to some who would rather walk to Muddbucks to savor the last of their flex than deal with the lack of accessible plastic. Through the new reforms, the Motley has put the pressure of sustainability on the consumer rather than putting in the effort to buy, for example, compostable cups and straws.
As much as I hate a soggy paper straw, you learn to live with it when it’s your only option at your favorite coffee shop.
Sustainability in college is so important because it sets people up for the habits they will have for the rest of their adult life (I should know, I’ve taught at least three people how to recycle). However, I fear that the Motley is teaching people that being sustainable must be done on other people’s terms. But I don’t believe that. Sustainability is entirely dependent on the individual’s lifestyle and dedication to the cause, which people may still be realizing at the time they’re entering college.
I understand, it is easy to feel as if people aren’t doing as much for the environment as they should be when some put in significant time, energy, and effort into lessening their carbon footprint. But, as a student-run coffee house, I believe it is not the Motley’s place to put the burden of sustainability onto the consumer, but to educate us as to why we should be interested in doing our part.
The Motley is our benevolent parent who has started taking away our toys instead of giving us more dessert for our positive behavior. Tell me if you’re picking up the typical parenting analogy I’m putting down. I am all for incentives for being sustainable, such as the punch cards (although I admittedly crashed out about it earlier), as a form of positive reinforcement. It is a nice bonus for our personal efforts toward sustainability that only the individual can take by bringing their own cup.
In addition, I encourage the Motley to focus on education. Maybe some sustainability posters students can read while they wait for their Matcha Cha Cha. How much of a difference does not taking a plastic straw make? What about a plastic lid? Advertise the punch cards and for-here cups available for those who are open to a more sustainable approach but don’t want to lug their own mug around. You can even take it to class and bring it back!
I adore the Motley and would choose it over The Hub or Muddbucks any day of the week. But with the newest changes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure the Motley puts to label itself as “sustainable.” Even if this article changes nothing in the way the Motley is run, which I don’t imagine it will, I encourage my fellow Scrippsies and 5Cers to not feel discouraged that you are not sustainable enough when you forget to bring your own cup. Instead, try to go when a manager isn’t working so they don’t charge you the extra 50 cents!
Illustration Courtesy of Anna Grez ’27
