McDonalds and Starbucks announce a pilot program introducing two types of smart reusable cups in both San Francisco and Palo Alto, California. The two chains use approximately a billion plastic-lined cups per year that are impossible to recycle.

Now, cups will be printed with a distinct QR code that consumers will scan when they pick up and drop off. The cups are meant to be easily stacked at bright-yellow drop-off points, scattered throughout the city. Then they will be piled into vans and sent for cleaning.

GUEST: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor of Food policy and distribution at Dalhousie University