Coffee lovers in Notts are being given the chance to upgrade their at-home brew this June, as speciality coffee roaster 200 Degrees launches a new initiative encouraging people to swap their worst coffee they’ve been hoarding at home for something better.

Running now to Sunday, June 21 2026, the campaign invites locals to bring unwanted coffee — whether it’s stale tins, disappointing supermarket buys or long-forgotten cupboard clutter — into any 200 Degrees coffee store. In return, customers will receive a free 250g bag of speciality coffee beans or a pack of 10 pods.

The initiative, dubbed Operation Better Brews, follows new research from the Nottingham-based roaster revealing that 8 in 10 Brits regularly drink coffee they don’t actually enjoy. On average, people are wasting around £7.16 a month — or £85 a year — on coffee that fails to hit the mark.

To help turn that around, 200 Degrees is giving away its signature Brazilian Love Affair blend. The coffee is designed to deliver a rich, barista-quality experience at home, with flavour notes of chocolate, hazelnut and caramel.

Alex Slater, Senior Head Barista and Drinks Development Lead at 200 Degrees, said the findings came as a surprise.

“We thought the research would throw up something interesting, but the scale of it is mad, with just how many people are putting up with bad coffee every day.

“We care a lot about getting coffee right, from sourcing beans from across the world and roasting them in house, to ensuring quality in every cup we serve in-shop and every bag of beans we sell for home brewing. This is our fun way of showing there’s a better option out there, so if yours isn’t up to scratch, bring it in and we’ll swap it for something better.”

The research also uncovered where Brits are most likely to encounter disappointing coffee. The “hall of shame” includes workplaces (25%), petrol and train stations (23%), and even visits to friends’ or family members’ homes (23%).

Despite these experiences, many people are reluctant to speak up. Nearly four in ten (39%) admitted they have politely described a bad coffee as “lovely”, while secretly disliking it. Meanwhile, 38% said they have simply let an unwanted cup go cold, and 27% confessed to quietly pouring it away when no one was watching.

The campaign taps into a growing interest in speciality coffee, giving residents a chance to try a higher-quality alternative without spending more money — by simply trading in what they already have.

With many people continuing to work from home or looking to improve everyday routines, this campaign aims to show that better coffee doesn’t have to mean a trip to the café — it can start right in your own kitchen.

Nottingham residents can take part by visiting any of the city’s 200 Degrees locations:

• East Midlands Designer Outlet, Mansfield Road, South Normanton, DE55 2JW
• Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FE
• 16 Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
• 7–9 Milton Street, Nottingham, NG1 3EP
• West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5GQ