Question 1

What is the Earth Cups Ambassador program?

Accepted Answer

The Earth Cups Ambassador (ECA) program is designed for college students who want to bring sustainable packaging to their campus. As an ambassador, you get access to Earth Cups products at just 3¢ per cup with free delivery — making it easy and affordable to replace single-use plastics at your fraternity, sorority, student organization, campus venue, or any other group.

Ambassadors also have the option to get co-branded cup designs featuring both the Earth Cups logo and your organization's branding.

Question 2

What is Earth Base warehousing?

Accepted Answer

Earth Base KC is Earth Store's centrally located fulfillment center in Kansas City. Customers with warehousing included in their contract can store inventory at Earth Base and have it shipped on demand when orders are placed.

Key benefits include:

- Central US location for faster, lower-cost delivery nationwide.
- Climate-controlled, secure storage for all product types.
- Same-day fulfillment — orders placed before 1:00 PM CT ship the same business day.
- 2-month safety stock maintained to prevent stockouts.
- Pick, pack, and ship handled entirely by our team.

Warehousing is set up as part of your contract with your sales rep. Once active, you can monitor inventory levels and manage your warehousing payment method directly from your dashboard.

Question 3

What shipping options are available?

Accepted Answer

Earth Store offers three shipping tiers for every order:

- Standard — Arrives in 3–7 business days. The most cost-effective option for non-urgent orders.
- 2-Day — Arrives within 2 business days of processing. Ideal when you need products quickly but not immediately.
- Overnight — Arrives the next business day. Best for urgent restocks or last-minute needs.

Shipping rates are calculated in real time at checkout based on your order size, weight, and delivery address. Earth Prime subscribers receive free expedited shipping on eligible orders.

Question 4

What is Earth Store?

Accepted Answer

Earth Store is the ordering and management platform for Earth Cups — a sustainable food-service packaging company offering compostable cups, lids, containers, cutlery, and custom-branded products. Through Earth Store, businesses can browse products, place orders, manage contracts, track inventory, handle billing, and coordinate deliveries — all from a single portal. Whether you're a single-location coffee shop or a multi-location franchise, Earth Store is designed to make sustainable packaging simple and scalable.

Question 5

What is a contract in Earth Store?

Accepted Answer

A contract is a supply agreement between your business and Earth Store. It defines the products you've agreed to purchase, your locked-in pricing, payment terms, and any warehousing arrangements. Contracts ensure you get consistent pricing and product availability for the duration of the agreement.

You can view all your active and completed contracts from the Contracts page in your dashboard. Each contract shows its line items, pricing, status, and associated files (such as your signed agreement).

Question 6

What is an organization in Earth Store?

Accepted Answer

An organization is the top-level account that represents your business in Earth Store. It's the shared workspace where your team members, locations, contracts, payment methods, and Earth Cash balance all live. Every order placed by anyone in your organization is tracked under this single umbrella, giving admins full visibility into spending, inventory, and activity across the business. Your organization is set up by your sales rep when you sign your contract, and you can manage it from the Organization section of your dashboard.

Question 7

How do I add a payment method?

Accepted Answer

To add a credit card to your account:

1. Go to Organization → Payment Methods in your dashboard (Org Admins), or Billing → Payment Methods (Location Admins for their location).
2. Click "Add Payment Method."
3. Enter your card details — the card is securely stored through Stripe.
4. Optionally set it as your default payment method.

Organizations can have multiple cards on file. Org Admins can assign specific cards to specific locations, so each site can use its own payment method at checkout.

Question 8

How do I place an order?

Accepted Answer

To place an order from your dashboard:

1. Go to the Shop from your dashboard or navigate to My Products to see your contracted items.
2. Browse or search for the products you need and add them to your cart.
3. Review your cart — adjust quantities, apply a discount code if you have one, and select your shipping address.
4. Choose a shipping tier (Standard, 2-Day, or Overnight).
5. Select a payment method (credit card or invoice if your organization qualifies for net terms).
6. Confirm and place your order.

You'll receive an email confirmation with your order details. You can track your order status at any time from the Orders page in your dashboard.

Question 9

How do roles and permissions work?

Accepted Answer

Earth Store has three roles that control what team members can see and do:

- Org Admin — Full access to everything. Can manage members, locations, payment methods, contracts, Earth Cash, billing, and organization settings. Can view all orders placed across the organization.
- Location Admin — Can manage their assigned location's payment methods and place orders for that location. Can view orders placed at their location but not other locations.
- Member — Can browse products, place orders using approved payment methods, and view their own order history. Cannot manage organization settings, members, or billing.

Only Org Admins can invite or remove team members and change roles. If you need your permissions updated, reach out to an admin in your organization.

Question 10

How do I view my contract details?

Accepted Answer

To view the details of a contract:

1. Go to Contracts in your dashboard.
2. Click on any contract to open its detail page.

From there you can see:

- Line items — The products, quantities, and pricing included in your contract.
- Inventory levels — Real-time stock levels for each contracted product stored at Earth Base KC.
- Production status — Tracking for any open production runs associated with your contract.
- Status history — A timeline of status changes for the contract.
- Files — Downloadable documents such as your signed contract agreement.

Question 11

How are warehousing fees calculated?

Accepted Answer

Warehousing fees are based on the number of pallets stored per month at Earth Base KC. Pricing is tiered — the more you store, the lower the per-pallet rate.

Fees are charged monthly to your designated warehousing payment method. You can view a breakdown of current charges and download receipts from the Warehousing section of your dashboard.

Earth Prime subscribers receive complimentary warehousing as part of their subscription. For specific rate details, contact your sales rep or email sales@earthcups.com.

Question 12

How do I get started as a new customer?

Accepted Answer

Getting started with Earth Store is straightforward. Here's the typical process:

1. Contact our sales team — Reach out via the Contact Sales page or email sales@earthcups.com. Let us know about your business, your volume needs, and what products you're interested in.
2. Receive samples — We'll send you a complimentary sample kit so you can feel the product quality and test fit with your operations.
3. Get a pricing quote — Based on your volume and product mix, your sales rep will put together custom pricing tailored to your business.
4. Sign a contract — Once pricing is agreed upon, you'll sign a supply contract with your rep. This locks in your rates and product availability.
5. Access your portal — After your contract is signed, you'll receive login credentials and can start ordering immediately from your Earth Store dashboard.

You can also create an account at any time to preview the portal and browse the product catalog — but ordering and full access require a signed contract through your sales rep.

Question 13

Who is eligible to become an ambassador?

Accepted Answer

Any college student can sign up to be an Earth Cups Ambassador. You do not need to be part of a student organization, fraternity, or sorority — the program is open to all students at any college or university.

Whether you're ordering for a campus club, a dining hall, a campus event, or just your dorm, you're welcome to join.

Question 14

How do I pay by invoice vs. credit card?

Accepted Answer

Earth Store supports two payment methods at checkout:

- Credit card — Pay immediately using a card on file. The charge is processed when you place the order.
- Invoice — For organizations with approved net terms, you can place orders on account and receive an invoice. Invoices are generated through QuickBooks and can be viewed, downloaded, and paid from the Invoices section of your dashboard.

To qualify for invoice-based ordering, speak with your sales rep about setting up net payment terms for your organization.

Question 15

How is my delivery date calculated?

Accepted Answer

Your estimated delivery date is based on two factors: processing time and shipping transit time.

- Orders placed before 1:00 PM CT are processed the same business day.
- Orders placed after 1:00 PM CT are processed the next business day.

For example, if you select 2-Day shipping but place your order at 3:00 PM CT on a Monday, it will be processed on Tuesday and arrive by Thursday. The same order placed at 11:00 AM CT on Monday would arrive by Wednesday.

Delivery estimates are shown at checkout before you confirm your order. Weekends and holidays are not counted as business days.

Question 16

What is the difference between My Products and the Shop?

Accepted Answer

My Products shows the specific products assigned to your organization through your contract. These items display your locked-in contracted pricing and are the products your business has agreed to purchase.

The Shop is the full Earth Store product catalog, available for browsing by all users. If your organization has a contract, you may see both contracted pricing and standard pricing depending on the product.

For most day-to-day ordering, My Products is the quickest way to reorder the items your business uses regularly.

Question 17

How do I track my order?

Accepted Answer

Once your order ships, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number and carrier link. You can also track your order directly from your dashboard:

1. Go to Orders in your dashboard.
2. Click on the order you want to track.
3. The order detail page shows the current shipping status and tracking information.

If your tracking hasn't updated within 48 hours of shipment, contact support@earthcups.com with your order number and we'll investigate.

Question 18

How do I view my warehousing receipts?

Accepted Answer

To view and download receipts for warehousing charges:

1. Go to Warehousing in your dashboard.
2. You'll see a list of all past monthly charges.
3. Click on any charge to view the details or download a receipt.

Receipts include the billing period, number of pallets stored, and the total amount charged. If you have questions about a specific charge, contact support@earthcups.com.

Question 19

How do I invite team members?

Accepted Answer

To add someone to your organization:

1. Go to Organization → Members in your dashboard.
2. Click "Invite Member."
3. Enter their email address and select a role (Org Admin, Location Admin, or Member).
4. If assigning them as a Location Admin, select the location they'll manage.
5. Click "Send Invite."

They'll receive an email invitation with a link to create their account and join your organization. Pending invitations can be viewed and revoked from the Members page. Only Org Admins can send invitations.

Question 20

How do I check my inventory levels?

Accepted Answer

If your contract includes warehousing at Earth Base KC, you can check inventory levels directly from your dashboard:

1. Go to Contracts and select your active contract.
2. Each line item shows the current stock level alongside the contracted quantity.

Inventory levels are synced in real time from our warehouse management system. If you notice a discrepancy or have questions about your stock, contact your account rep or email support@earthcups.com.

Question 21

What does the sales process look like?

Accepted Answer

Our sales team works closely with every new customer to find the right product mix and pricing. Here's what to expect:

- Initial conversation — A brief call or email exchange to understand your business needs, current packaging usage, and sustainability goals.
- Sample delivery — We'll ship a curated sample kit to your location at no cost. This typically arrives within 3–5 business days.
- Pricing proposal — Your rep will prepare a custom pricing sheet based on your anticipated volume, product selections, and delivery frequency.
- Contract signing — Once you're happy with pricing, you'll sign a contract that outlines your products, pricing tiers, payment terms, and any warehousing arrangements.
- Onboarding — After signing, your rep will help set up your account, configure your organization, and walk you through the portal.

The entire process from first contact to first order typically takes 1–2 weeks, depending on sample shipping and contract review time.

Question 22

What is Earth Cash and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Earth Cash is Earth Store's store credit system. Your organization may receive Earth Cash through promotions, credits, or account adjustments. Here's how it works:

- Your organization has a shared Earth Cash pool visible under Organization → Earth Cash.
- Org Admins can allocate Earth Cash to specific members or locations, controlling who can spend it.
- At checkout, you can apply your available Earth Cash balance to reduce the order total. It works with both credit card and invoice orders.
- Transaction history shows all allocations, redemptions, and adjustments.

Earth Cash is applied before your payment method is charged, so it directly reduces the amount you pay.

Question 23

How does the 3¢/cup pricing work?

Accepted Answer

As an Earth Cups Ambassador, you pay just 3¢ per cup — a fraction of the standard retail price. This special pricing is exclusive to the ECA program and applies to qualifying cup products.

The pricing is designed to make it as easy as possible for students to switch to sustainable packaging without budget concerns. Delivery is also free for all ECA orders.

Question 24

How do made-to-order products work?

Accepted Answer

Made-to-order products are custom items produced specifically for your business — typically cups, lids, or containers with your branding and design. Here's how the process works:

1. Start a custom order from the Custom Orders section of your dashboard.
2. Choose your product type, size, material, and quantity.
3. Upload your logo or design files (PNG, PDF, or AI formats accepted).
4. Add any design instructions or notes for our team.
5. Submit your order — our design team will review and create a digital proof.
6. You'll receive the proof through the in-app messaging thread on your custom order page. Review it and request revisions or approve it.
7. Once approved, production begins. Made-to-order products typically have a 2–4 week lead time.

You can track the status of your order and communicate with our design team directly from the Custom Orders page in your dashboard.

For bulk custom pricing or to discuss a large-scale branded packaging program, contact your sales representative or reach out at sales@earthcups.com.

Question 25

Do you ship nationwide?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Earth Store ships to all 50 US states from our centrally located Earth Base KC facility in Kansas City. The central location means most deliveries reach their destination faster and at lower cost than shipping from a coast.

For large or recurring orders, we also offer palletized freight shipping at competitive rates. Contact your sales rep or email sales@earthcups.com for a freight quote.

Question 26

Can I reorder from a previous order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Go to the Orders page in your dashboard, find the order you'd like to repeat, and click "Reorder." The same items and quantities will be added to your cart. You can adjust quantities or remove items before checking out.

This is the fastest way to place repeat orders for items your business uses regularly.

Question 27

How do I manage locations?

Accepted Answer

If your business has multiple locations (stores, branches, franchises), you can manage them all from a single organization:

1. Go to Organization → Locations in your dashboard.
2. Click "Add Location" and enter the location name, address, and any relevant details.
3. Assign a Location Admin to manage that location's orders and payment methods.

Each location can have its own payment methods, shipping addresses, and team members assigned to it. Orders are tracked per location, so Org Admins can see spending and activity broken down by site. You can edit or remove locations at any time from this page.

Question 28

How do I view my invoices?

Accepted Answer

To view and manage invoices:

1. Go to Invoices in your dashboard.
2. You'll see a list of all outstanding and paid invoices.
3. Click on any invoice to view details, download a PDF, or see payment status.

You can also check your organization's total open balance from the Billing section. If you have questions about a specific invoice, contact support@earthcups.com with the invoice number.

Question 29

How do stock notifications work?

Accepted Answer

Stock notifications alert you when your warehoused inventory is running low. To set them up:

1. Go to the Notifications section of your dashboard.
2. Configure your stock alert preferences — choose which products to monitor and set your minimum threshold.
3. When inventory drops below your threshold, you'll receive an email notification so you can reorder before running out.

Org Admins can also configure weekly stock summary emails that show current levels across all contracted products. These can be enabled from the notification preferences page.

Question 30

How do I create my account?

Accepted Answer

You can create an Earth Store account at any time — even before speaking with sales. Here's how:

1. Visit the Earth Store login page and click "Get Started."
2. Enter your email address and create a password.
3. Verify your email by clicking the confirmation link we send you.
4. Complete basic profile information (name, company, role).

Once your account is created, you can browse the product catalog and explore the dashboard. However, placing orders and accessing full portal features (contracts, inventory, warehousing, etc.) requires a signed contract with your sales rep.

If your organization already has an account, ask your admin to invite you directly — you'll receive an email invitation to join the existing organization.

Question 31

How do I sign up as an ambassador?

Accepted Answer

Signing up as an Earth Cups Ambassador is simple:

1. Create an account on Earth Store using your .edu email address.
2. During the onboarding flow, select "Ambassador" as your account type.
3. That's it — you're in. No application or approval process required.

Once your account is set up, you'll immediately have access to the 3¢/cup pricing and free delivery on all your orders.

Question 32

How does fulfillment work at Earth Base KC?

Accepted Answer

When you place an order through Earth Store and your products are warehoused at Earth Base KC, fulfillment happens automatically:

1. You place an order from your dashboard as usual.
2. Our warehouse team picks and packs the items from your stored inventory.
3. The order ships from Earth Base KC using your selected shipping tier.

Orders placed before 1:00 PM CT are fulfilled and shipped the same business day. Orders placed after 1:00 PM CT ship the next business day.

You don't need to do anything differently at checkout — the system knows which products are warehoused and fulfills from your stored inventory automatically.

Question 33

How do I assign payment methods to locations?

Accepted Answer

If your organization has multiple locations, you can assign specific payment methods to each one. This lets each site use its own card for orders without sharing a single payment method across the business.

1. Go to Organization → Payment Methods in your dashboard.
2. Find the card you want to assign and click "Manage."
3. Select the location(s) this card should be available to.

When a team member at that location places an order, they'll only see the payment methods assigned to their location at checkout. Org Admins can reassign or unassign cards at any time.

This is especially useful for franchises or multi-site businesses where each location handles its own purchasing budget.

Question 34

How do I use a discount code?

Accepted Answer

If you have a discount or promo code, you can apply it during checkout:

1. Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout.
2. Enter your code in the "Discount Code" field.
3. Click "Apply" — the discount will be reflected in your order total.

Discount codes may have restrictions such as minimum order amounts, specific products, or per-organization usage limits. If a code isn't working, double-check the terms or contact support for help.

Question 35

How do I download contract files?

Accepted Answer

To download files associated with a contract (such as your signed agreement or pricing sheets):

1. Go to Contracts in your dashboard.
2. Click on the contract you need.
3. Scroll to the Files section at the bottom of the contract detail page.
4. Click on any file to download it.

If you need a document that isn't listed, contact your account rep and they can upload it to your contract.

Question 36

How do I manage my warehousing payment method?

Accepted Answer

To set or change the payment method used for monthly warehousing fees:

1. Go to Warehousing in your dashboard.
2. Click "Set Payment Method" or "Change Payment Method."
3. Select an existing card on file or add a new one.

The warehousing payment method is separate from the cards used for product orders. This allows you to keep storage costs on a different card or budget from your ordering spend. Only Org Admins can manage the warehousing payment method.

Question 37

What happens after I sign a contract?

Accepted Answer

Once your contract is finalized, here's what happens next:

- Portal activation — Your account gains full access to ordering, contracts, inventory tracking, and billing features.
- Organization setup — Your sales rep will configure your organization with the correct products, pricing, locations, and team members.
- First order — You can immediately start placing orders from the dashboard. Your contracted products will appear in "My Products" with your locked-in pricing.
- Warehousing (if applicable) — If your contract includes warehousing at Earth Base KC, your inventory will be set up and you'll see live stock levels in your portal.
- Ongoing support — Your sales rep remains your point of contact for contract changes, pricing updates, and any questions.

Question 38

What if my order arrives damaged?

Accepted Answer

If your order arrives damaged, contact us within 48 hours of delivery:

1. Email support@earthcups.com with your order number.
2. Include photos of the damaged items and packaging.
3. Our team will review and arrange a replacement or credit at no extra cost.

We package all shipments to minimize damage during transit, but if something does go wrong, we'll make it right as quickly as possible.

Question 39

How do I upload a tax exemption certificate?

Accepted Answer

If your organization is tax-exempt, you can upload your certificate directly in the portal:

1. Go to Organization → Tax Exempt in your dashboard.
2. Click "Upload Certificate" and select your file (PDF or image).
3. The certificate will be reviewed by our team and applied to your account.

Once approved, applicable taxes will be removed from future orders. Make sure your certificate is current — if it expires, you'll need to upload an updated version. Only Org Admins can upload and manage tax exemption documents.

Question 40

Can I get custom co-branded cup designs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ambassadors can request co-branded cup designs that feature both the Earth Cups logo and your organization's logo or branding. This is a great option for fraternities, sororities, campus cafes, or student events that want a professional, branded look.

To request a custom design, let your Earth Cups contact know when you sign up or reach out to sales@earthcups.com with your logo and design preferences.

Question 41

Navigating your dashboard for the first time

Accepted Answer

When you log in for the first time, here's a quick overview of what you'll find:

- Home — Your dashboard overview showing recent orders, inventory levels, and quick actions.
- My Products — The products assigned to your organization with your contracted pricing.
- Orders — Your complete order history with status tracking and reorder capability.
- Contracts — Your active contracts with inventory levels, production status, and downloadable files.
- Organization — Manage team members, locations, payment methods, and Earth Cash balance.
- Warehousing — View warehousing fees and receipts (if your contract includes storage).
- Settings — Update your profile, change your password, and manage notification preferences.

We also offer a guided product tour that walks you through each section — look for the "Take a tour" button in the top navigation bar on your first login.

Question 42

How do I set up a warehousing payment method?

Accepted Answer

If your contract includes warehousing at Earth Base KC, you'll need a dedicated payment method for monthly storage fees:

1. Go to Warehousing in your dashboard.
2. Click "Set Payment Method" and select an existing card or add a new one.
3. Monthly warehousing fees will be charged automatically to this card.

You can change your warehousing payment method at any time. Receipts for all warehousing charges are available for download from the Warehousing page.

Question 43

How does free delivery work for ECA orders?

Accepted Answer

All Earth Cups Ambassador orders include free delivery to your campus or specified address. There's no minimum order quantity required to qualify for free shipping.

Orders ship from Earth Base KC and typically arrive within 3–7 business days via standard shipping.

Question 44

Can I change or cancel an order after placing it?

Accepted Answer

If you need to change or cancel an order, contact support@earthcups.com as soon as possible with your order number. Orders that haven't entered processing yet can typically be modified or cancelled without issue.

Once an order has been processed and shipped, it cannot be cancelled. In that case, contact support to discuss return or credit options.

Question 45

How do I update organization settings?

Accepted Answer

Org Admins can manage organization-level settings from Organization → Settings. From here you can:

- Update your organization name and details.
- Control visibility settings — choose what non-admin members can see (e.g., whether Members can view organization-wide order history or only their own).
- Manage notification preferences for stock alerts and order updates.

Changes to organization settings take effect immediately for all members. If you're not an Org Admin and need a setting changed, ask an admin in your organization to update it.

Question 46

What products does Earth Store offer?

Accepted Answer

Earth Store carries a full range of sustainable food-service packaging:

- Cups — Hot and cold cups in multiple sizes, available in compostable (PLA-lined), home compostable, and recyclable (PE-lined) options.
- Lids — Flat and dome lids designed to fit our cup sizes, made from compostable or recyclable materials.
- Containers — Food containers and bowls for takeout, catering, and food service.
- Cutlery — Compostable forks, knives, and spoons.
- Custom-branded products — Any of the above with your logo and custom design.

Each product page lists the specific material composition, certifications (BPI, TUV, FSC, etc.), sizing, and case quantities. Browse the full catalog in the Shop section of your dashboard.

Question 47

How do I request product samples?

Accepted Answer

Contact our sales team through the Contact Sales page on our website or email sales@earthcups.com. We offer complimentary sample kits so you can feel the product quality and test fit with your operations before committing to an order.

Samples typically arrive within 3–5 business days. If you're an existing customer and want to try a product you haven't ordered before, your account rep can arrange samples as well.

Question 48

How do refunds work?

Accepted Answer

If you need a refund for any reason, contact support@earthcups.com within 30 days of your order with your order number and a description of the issue. Our team will review and process a refund or store credit.

Refunds are typically issued within 5–10 business days to your original payment method. In some cases, we may issue Earth Cash credit instead, which can be used on future orders.

Question 49

How do I contact sales or support?

Accepted Answer

Here are the ways to reach us:

- Sales inquiries — Visit the Contact Sales page on our website, or email sales@earthcups.com. Our team typically responds within one business day.
- Customer support — For existing customers, email support@earthcups.com or use the help center's AI assistant within the portal for instant answers.
- Your account rep — Once you have a signed contract, you'll have a dedicated account representative you can reach directly for contract-related questions.

For urgent delivery issues or damaged shipments, contact support@earthcups.com and include your order number — we'll prioritize your request.

help center

Getting Started

Organization Management

Ordering & Products

Shipping & Delivery

Contracts & Inventory

Billing & Payments

Warehousing

Earth Cups Ambassador

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