Save Paper Cups

If you buy just one cup of coffee or tea in a disposable cup every day, you’ll end up creating about 23 lbs of waste in one year.

Staggering, isn’t it? So while we would never ask you to give up your daily cuppa joe, we are asking you to commit to giving up your disposable cup habit. Either fill your reusable mug at home before you go, or take an empty one to your favorite cafe. It’s one of the simplest changes you can make to immediately have a tremendous impact.

6 reasons why using a reusable coffee mug/tumbler/cup is well worth it:

 1. Styrofoam is toxic and unsustainable: According to the EPA, 25 billion styrofoam cups are thrown away each year in the US and have the potential to stay in the landfill for a good 500 years. Styrofoam is made from polystyrene, a petroleum derived material which is not recyclable. When filled with a hot liquid, styrofoam cups leach styrene, which is considered carcinogenic. 

 2. Paper cups are not as innocent as they appear: Even though paper may seem like a better choice than styrofoam, paper cups are lined with a type of plastic called polyethylene so the cup won't turn to mush. It also can’t be recycled. And the glue used to hold those paper cups together partially dissolves when the coffee is poured into the cup, releasing trace amounts of toxins, such as melamine, into the coffee. Not to mention the 20 million trees that are cut down each year for coffee cups.

 3. Plastic lids are just as bad as styrofoam: Coffee cup lids are also made of polystyrene, also known as plastic #6. Like styrofoam, polystyrene lids leach styrene, the newest member on the US List of Carcinogens. A better alternative is using a silicone or BPA-free lid that can be used repeatedly.

 4. Cardboard sleeves, what a waste: Since most cardboard sleeves are thrown out along with the non-recyclable disposable cup, there is even more waste. Of course there is no need for a protective sleeve when using a double wall reusable coffee cup because the heat stays on the inside!

 5. Insulated cups work for iced beverages too: The plastic cups used for to-go iced beverages are made from #5 polypropylene plastic. Although they are technically recyclable, most curbside programs won't accept this type of plastic. The same reusable insulated tumbler that you carry for hot coffee will work for for long-lasting iced coffee too.

 6. Reusable containers are more civilized: Drinking from a glass, ceramic or stainless steel just tastes better. And even if you can’t sit still long enough to savor your cup of coffee or tea, you can feel better about sipping from a nicely designed reusable container than from, well, a piece of trash. Double-walled mugs also provide better insulation (both hot and cold) to keep your beverage at the proper temperature for hours.

Isn't it time to stop using disposable cups once and for all? Take the pledge!