According to what it says in the description field, it is a refundable deposit. 
~

This post was edited by Randy D at April 7, 2021 1:03 PM MDT

 "When the customer is done with their drink, they return the cup and receive a $1 credit as their refund" this is not a cash refund. 

 

(Sigh)

”Here's how it works: Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit.“

Valium anyone?

 

  And yet, I muddle on, don’t I?

:|

You aren't alone.  I've found myself in the same situation.

 

  I’ve seen those exchanges.
~

Keep reading...."....When the customer is done with their drink, they return the cup and receive a $1 credit as their refund..." 
A credit is NOT a cash refund.

credit ≠  cash 

 

  Just as some of the simplest concepts have to be pointed out to you not only in reiterating your own written words verbatim, but also in that which you so strongly argue against. It is not in question what the passage states on further reading. What IS in question very clearly and quite glaringly is your assertion that paying a refundable deposit should be part of the program, even though paying a refundable deposit is emblazoned in black and white in the part of the passage that I quoted. I merely responded to you that the feature you supposedly found lacking or the supposedly lacking feature that you could not find had already been included. 

(Sigh)

”Here's how it works: Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit.”

It is the next sentence....yes your $1 is refunded....in the form of a CREDIT.  

"Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit. When the customer is done with their drink, they return the cup and receive a $1 credit as their refund plus 10 Bonus Stars for their Starbucks (SBUX) Rewards account."

I do not see why this is hard to understand.  

You’re right; it’s not that hard to understand that you assume it doesn’t say something that it does say. 

Return the cup get a refund in the form of a credit....

It says it plain and simple.  

”Here's how it works: Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit.“

  You truly don’t think that you’re the only one who can just keep going on and on, do you?

No.  Here is how to works. 

1. You buy coffee/beverage. 
2. You pay extra $1 for real cup. That can be reused. 
3. You return the cup for your "refund"
4. They give you a CREDIT of $1 and 10 bonus Stars for their loyalty program. 

Just as it says in the article posted in the OP. 

 

  You have just shown that you might be completely unfamiliar with the purpose for using quotation marks. The opening words “Here‘s how it works” are not my words, nor are they my way of expressing to you my own thoughts or my own opinions, I am merely quoting exactly what the original author wrote. Attempting to explain to me how it works, especially as a rebuttal to what you apparently assume is my having tried to explain to you how it works, misses the point entirely. 

  Your turn. 

I geuss you missed the quotes I used above.
But I will post it again with the quotes.

"Here's how it works: Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit. When the customer is done with their drink, they return the cup and receive a $1 credit as their refund plus 10 Bonus Stars for their Starbucks (SBUX) Rewards account."

As I said:
1. You buy coffee/beverage. 
2. You pay extra $1 for real cup. That can be reused. 
(1 and 2 are sentence 1 in the quotes above) 

3. You return the cup for your "refund"
4. They give you a CREDIT of $1 and 10 bonus Stars for their loyalty program
(3 and 4 are sentence 2 in the quote above) This post was edited by my2cents at April 8, 2021 6:49 AM MDT

Bring it on and on....but  I am right. 

"Customers will order their drinks in a reusable cup and pay a $1 refundable deposit. 
So, you pay a $1 fee up front and they give it back to you when you return the cup.  I'm not sure they're giving you anything at all.  If you don't return the cup, and I suspect most people won't be bothered - they have your $1.  Now your coffee costs $10 instead of $9.  I call that a money grab - not a refund or a credit. This post was edited by SpunkySenior at April 8, 2021 7:41 AM MDT

Correct you get nothing back if you do not return the cup.  Most will just consider it a new cup for a $1. 

In no case, are they giving you a $1 cash back. It is a credit...to be spent at Starbucks. 

It isn't a credit if you pay the $1 up front.  

It must be spent at Starbucks.  No different than buying a Starbucks gift card.

They are calling it a credit. I do not care what they call it. Just that they are not giving your $1 back. 

As we both agree most people just gonna keep the cup.

So taking your money without giving it back if you don't spend it in their store is called highway robbery.