A few things clicked for me after last year’s Coffee Morning. The cakes were a hit, the company was lovely, and the fundraising went well… but my bin bags told a different story. I filled two full sacks by the end of the afternoon, and that didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t anyone’s fault; I’d just underestimated how quickly cups, napkins, packaging, and leftovers add up.
So this year, I tried something new: an eco-friendly, low-waste setup that ended up saving me money, making the room calmer, and surprisingly boosting donations.
Here’s the playbook I used, with notes you can easily copy for your own Macmillan Coffee Morning.
What I learned from last year’s waste audit
After hosting a few fundraisers in the same space, I had an idea of where the main waste came from.
So last year I did a simple “audit” (just tipping everything out afterwards and sorting it into rough groups).
| Waste Type | Notes |
| Single-use cups | The biggest category by far |
| Paper napkins | Used quickly and often grabbed in handfuls, so lots of waste |
| Food packaging | Supermarket cake trays, cling film, bakery wrappers, and foil |
| Leftovers | A full tray of brownies and half a quiche nobody touched |
Just spending 15 minutes looking at the pile made it much easier to see where small swaps would help next time.
Reusables that made a real difference
I didn’t buy anything fancy to cut down on waste. I just gathered what I already had and asked friends to bring a few extras.
What I used this year:
- Mugs (plastic for the kids!) instead of disposable cups
- Real cutlery (plastic for the kids!)
- A couple of large jugs of water and juice
- Wipeable signs instead of paper ones
- A washing-up station with two bowls and a tea towel
The washing-up looked like a hassle on paper, but it worked surprisingly well. People rinsed their own mugs without me asking, mostly because everything was in one place. It also kept the tables looking tidy.
Top Tip: Plan with RSVPs (and avoid panic-baking)
Last year, I baked far too much, wanting to impress my friends and make sure I had a big selection. This year, I sent a tiny RSVP form the week before so I had an idea of numbers.
How I used the info:
- I reduced the baking list to three things, assuming everyone would have 3-4 pieces each
- I bought two supermarket traybakes and gave them a quick “signature drizzle” to make them look homemade
- I portioned everything before the guests arrived
Working based on actual headcount kept costs down and left me with just a small container of leftovers, nothing like the mountain from last year.
What happened to the leftovers
I put aside a few slices for neighbours who couldn’t attend but sent donations online. The rest went straight to our local community fridge, where it all disappeared within an hour.
Knowing the food went to good use was genuinely lovely, and it stopped me grazing for the rest of the day out of guilt!
Turning savings into donations
By cutting out disposable cups, I saved an easy £6–£8. Buying fewer ingredients and using traybakes also lowered my spend. I counted the difference and added it straight into the donation pot.
Where the savings came from:
| Change | Approx. Saving |
| No disposable cups | £6 |
| Fewer home-baked items | £10–£12 |
| Less packaging | £4 |
| Using reusables already at home | £5+ |
Total added to the pot: around £20, which pushed us past our target.
Little systems that reduce rubbish on the day
These small tweaks kept everything running smoothly, and I’d recommend them for any Coffee Morning:
- A labelled bin for recyclables only
- A clearly marked mug-return area
- A small compost caddy for fruit peels and coffee grounds
- Pre-cut servings to avoid extra napkins and crumbs everywhere
They sound tiny, but guests noticed, and a few even asked for tips for their own Coffee Mornings!
All the low-waste swaps that helped
| Old Way | New Way |
| Disposable cups | Mugs from home + washing station |
| Loads of home baking | 2–3 bakes + supermarket traybakes with drizzle |
| Guessing numbers | Simple RSVP count |
| Big stack of napkins | Small pile + reusable cloths nearby |
| One big bin | Recycling + compost + minimal general waste |
| Unplanned leftovers | Pre-portioned plates + community fridge drop-off |
Why low-waste hosting raises more
I didn’t expect this, but running a low-waste Coffee Morning became a talking point. Guests asked questions, stayed longer, and got more involved because it felt thoughtful and organised.
A few even said the effort behind the low-waste approach nudged them to add an extra donation.
A low-waste Coffee Morning isn’t about being perfect. It’s about hosting something warm, welcoming, and easy to run without a mountain of rubbish afterwards. If you try even one or two of these swaps, the difference is huge.
I think everyone should host a (low-waste) Coffee Morning if they can! It’s the best way to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, spend time with friends, and make a real difference together.
BIO
I’m Holly, a business owner and lifelong lemon-drizzle enthusiast who loves nothing more than a good natter over a cup of coffee. When I’m not writing, chatting, or working, you’ll probably find me helping out at my local church or cuddling my two dogs. Hosting my first Macmillan Coffee Morning reminded me how powerful small community moments can be and I can’t wait to plan the next one.
