Case Study: How ABN AMRO Offices Went Circular

Alycia Biekram, Manager of Sustainability and Social Impact at Facilicom Solutions, shares the practical steps that helped ABN AMRO eliminate all disposable coffee cups—one year before legislation required it. Her message is clear: when it comes to circular impact, small items like coffee cups can drive surprisingly big results.

Looking Beyond the Cup

Disposable coffee cups seem insignificant. But they touch nearly every part of an office’s operations—from procurement to waste, catering to cleaning, logistics to brand image. With the upcoming EU Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, ABN AMRO saw an opportunity to get ahead of regulation and lead with action.

Working alongside Facilicom Solutions and Product for Product, ABN AMRO developed a tailored approach to transition its offices to reusables—centered around Circular&Co’s to-go cup made from recycled coffee cups.

Step 1: Know Your Coffee People

By observing how different groups used coffee across locations—staff, visitors, facility teams—they gained a detailed picture of the needs and barriers. The solution couldn’t be one-size-fits-all.

Step 2: Choose the Right Mix

ABN AMRO selected a hybrid approach:

– Every employee received a personal Circular&Co cup.

– Visitors had access to daily-facilitated reusable cups.

– Forgot your cup? You could purchase one onsite—no excuse to go back to disposables.

Step 3: Communicate & Celebrate

Implementation was supported by an internal campaign. Baristas, ambassadors, and clear messaging made it more than just a switch—it became part of the culture. Alycia’s team prepared for every question, showed leadership backing, and emphasized the shared environmental purpose.

“From the start, it was clear to everyone: as of 1 January 2023, there would be no more disposable cups in our offices.”
— Alycia Biekram

Why the Circular Cup Worked for ABN AMRO

For ABN AMRO, the Circular&Co to-go cup wasn’t just a product — it was a strategic enabler. It eliminated the need for complex washing logistics, fit seamlessly into employees’ routines, and visibly reinforced the company’s sustainability goals.

Made from recycled coffee cups, the Circular Cup is leakproof, dishwasher-safe, and built to last over a decade — replacing up to 10,000 single-use cups per employee. Its simplicity empowered staff to take ownership of their own footprint, while reducing procurement and waste management costs across the board.

By combining individual cups with on-site solutions for visitors and ‘forgotten cup’ days, ABN AMRO created a flexible, zero-waste system that worked. The result: full phase-out of disposables within six months — and a lasting shift toward circular behavior.

The Numbers: Why Finance Said “Yes”

Making the case to management wasn’t difficult once the numbers were in:

“Our data shows that switching to reusable Circular Cups saves organisations around €25 per employee per year compared to disposables. Some recover their investment within three months. Over five years, savings can reach up to 95%.”
— Frans van den Berge, CEO Product for Product

These savings stem from lower cup procurement, less waste disposal, and streamlined facilities management.

What Other Companies Can Learn

• There’s no single solution. Start with a pilot and build a system that works for your teams, spaces, and workflows.

• Communicate clearly. Employees support what they understand and believe in.

• Be flexible. Not everyone will behave the same—and that’s okay.

• Support with logistics. Make it easy for employees to succeed (and fail-proof for those who forget).

And most importantly…

“It’s not about getting everyone to use the same cup. It’s about awareness.
When you make the sustainable choice the default, most people follow.”
— Alycia Biekram

Ready to Rethink Coffee in Your Office?

ABN AMRO’s success shows how a thoughtful approach to something as routine as coffee can ripple into real sustainability, culture change, and financial return.

If you’re exploring reusable solutions, Circular&Co is ready to support your team with insights, samples, and implementation guidance tailored to your goals.

📩 Want to talk strategy or get a free sample?
Read more here or reach out via our contact form.