Most of Britain’s 2.5 billion paper coffee cups are rubbish since just 1 in 400 are recycled. This is comparable to the annual emissions of 33,300 cars, with an estimated carbon footprint of more than 152,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide. Not to mention that a lot of water and trees are cut down to make those single-use coffee cups, which adds to the problem of resource loss and pollution.
Coffee businesses have promised to use more eco-friendly cups, but problems persist. The virgin paper used to make traditional biodegradable cups has a laminated plastic covering that is notoriously difficult to remove. This suggests that sometimes the so-called “sustainable” options aren’t eco-friendly.
While we can only do what we can, one way to lessen the environmental toll of single-use cups is to switch to reusable coffee cup and encourage your friends and coworkers to do the same.
Why Are Reusable Coffee Cups Better?
Using a reusable coffee cup mainly helps with trash reduction. Pollution, resource loss, and trash are just a few environmental problems caused by single-use and disposable coffee cups. Conversely, reusable coffee mugs are far more accessible on the planet.
Zero Waste Scotland discovered that compared to consuming and disposing of the same number of single-use cups, the equivalent carbon effect of a reusable plastic coffee cup decreases after 10 to 41 uses.
Using reusable cups instead of single-use ones might save 10.3 kg of CO₂ throughout the lifetime of the cup, according to their report. Also, it was discovered that single-use cups could cut their carbon emissions by 69% if reusable cups were widely used instead.
A word of advice: fill up your reusable coffee cup endlessly to ensure you never run out of coffee and reduce your reliance on single-use cups. Make it a habit to bring your coffee cup with you everywhere you go. According to research, it can take 20 to 100 uses for a cup to offset the greenhouse gas emissions it produces.
Does the environment benefit from reusable coffee cups?
Disposable coffee cups’ environmental impact is higher than reusable ones. To be more environmentally friendly than single-use cups, reusable ones should only be used 20–100 times. This means that you should make it a point to use your reusable cup for the maximum amount of time to ensure it does more harm than good.
Because it’s not always easy to keep track of our cups, we should probably dine in with a “real cup” the next time we forget to bring one.
How Many Times is the Reusable Cup Used?
A reusable coffee cup can last for years with proper washing and maintenance, allowing you to use it several times per week. Consistent use of a reusable cup for five days a week for eight years (or 2,000 servings!) is suggested by research conducted by Keep Cup.
You can extend the life of your cup by washing it in between uses, using it frequently, and recycling it when it gets dirty.
Benefits of Using Reusable Coffee Cups
There are a lot of advantages to using coffee cups, including less waste from single-use items and less environmental impact.
Drinks with Extended Duration
Insulation is a crucial consideration when designing reusable coffee cups. By “trapping” the hot or cold beverage inside the cup, it maintains its temperature for an extended period. Conversely, the paper or plastic used to make single-use coffee cups does not offer much insulation.
Advantageous to Health
Research shows that when plastic comes into touch with heated liquids, it releases toxic microplastics. These polymers are less likely to seep into your coffee if you use a reusable glass cup. Also, the materials used to make most coffee cups are safe and won’t leave any unpleasant taste or smell behind.
Saves Money
Switching to a reusable cup might help you save money, especially if you drink coffee often. Some places even offer discounts if you bring your cup or encourage you to brew your own at home.
Ideal for vacations
One of the best things about reusable cups is their convenience when you’re moving. These long-lasting cups include leak, heat, and spill protection to further aid with accident prevention.
Cleans Up Quickly
Most coffee cups are dishwasher safe, making them even more accessible to clean and maintain. Disassembly allows for easy cleaning of the Wild & Stone reusable coffee cup.
Conclusion
You can support sustainability and make a practical choice by switching to a reusable coffee cup. Minimising the quantity of waste in landfills is facilitated by using reusable travel mugs from Eco Promotions, which decrease the demand for single-use cups. In addition, you may lessen your influence on the environment by purchasing a high-quality travel mug that will endure for a long time.
