Are you aware of the impact your daily takeaway coffee habit has upon the environment? In Australia, it is broadly estimated that each day 1.3 million cups of takeaway coffee are consumed. Over one year this translates to quite a horrifying figure – the use and disposal of approximately 395 million paper cups that end up in landfill. Top this off with USA figures that state in 2006, 16 billion paper cups were produced by cutting down 6.5 million trees and using 4 billion gallons of water, which in turn resulted in 253 million pounds of waste. WOW! Will you ever look the same at your humble takeaway coffee cup again?
Rather than wean yourself off your daily caffeine fix, there are some great reusable coffee cups available that fit under your favourite barista’s coffee machines, and help reduce landfill!
KeepCup
Released in June 2009, the Australian designed and made KeepCup was designed by brother and sister coffee shop owners Abigail and Jamie Forsyth. Made from BPA Free plastic, the KeepCup offers over 11,000 possible colour combinations!
8oz $12.95; 10oz $14.95; 16oz $16.95
hookTURN
Melbourne based hookTURN make stylish reusable coffee cups made from flexible silicone (just like your cake or muffin pans), are sturdy and can withstand up to 200 degree heat, whilst remaining cool to touch! Again, colour combinations with the base and lids are limited only by your imagination.
Designed in Melbourne. Made in China.
8oz $10.95; 12oz $15.95
Craft Victoria
This beautiful hand raised porcelain cup was made by Ingrid Tufts and Michaela Bruton for Craft Victoria. Made to exact specifications to fit a takeaway coffee lid, this cup sports delicate hand illustrations and a vibrant splash of colour on the inside.
$30.00
I Am Not A Paper Cup
Made by USA company Décor Craft Inc, the I am not a Paper Cup is in fact a double walled porcelain cup with a silicon lid.
$16.50
With such a variety of cups available and now commonly accepted in barista stores around the nation, there really is no excuse … just remember to pop one in your handbag or manbag each morning and you won’t get caught out!
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I love my byo cup! It’s like my little morning friend. It has its own personality and keeps my double latte nice and hot. And not plastic like the other cups out there, its silicone, which is organic (i believe its sand and rock). great little cup really!
I want to run a campaign to encourage the use of reusable cups. One of the concerns was about reusing a dirty cup and how would coffee outlets handle this. How has this been handled or do you have suggestions?
Hi Raj – The answer may be obvious but the idea is to wash them and THEN reuse
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