The 29th of September is International Coffee Day, a day on which we can enjoy a delicious cup of joe and celebrate the wonders of a well-made caffeinated brew. Most working Aussies love some coffee in the morning to get their brains pumping, but with over a billion (!!) takeaway coffee cups ending up in landfill every year, we think there’s a great way to celebrate this International Coffee Day that will help reduce this wastage.
- Ditch disposable cups to minimise waste.
- Choose reusable cups for eco-conscious sipping.
- Personalise and promote custom cups.
Get Personalised Reusable Coffee Cups
Instead of getting a disposable takeaway cup with your daily coffee, why not upgrade to a promotional reusable coffee cup in celebration of International Coffee Day 2017. Reusable cups, such as the customised ones produced by Cubic Promote, are made from BPA free materials including recyclable glass, plastic, and ceramic. Plastic in itself is not a great material for the environment long-term, but the key is that we reduce our consumption of it. Although they might look like cardboard or paper, the majority of takeaway coffee cups have a thin plastic lining that takes a very long time to break down in a landfill. Instead of drinking from a different takeaway cup every day, invest in a reusable glass or plastic cup that you can utilise every day.
While it can be inconvenient to wash out a cup after use, the simple act of upgrading your cup can make an impact very quickly. It takes 15 cups of coffee for a glass reusable cup to become as energy efficient as a paper cup, and 17 for a plastic promotional cup. If you’re anything like me it doesn’t take long to drink 15 cups of coffee and from then on you’re actually saving energy. Best of all you can actually customise your reusable cups with unique personalised decoration or mix-and-match colourful bands. This means our reusable cups can have as much personality as other great reusable products such as custom umbrellas or bags!
If you’re game, why not upgrade the whole office to some promotional reusable cups? Everyone loves getting a gift that’s personalised for them, and when they realise just how much of an impact a whole office switching over to custom reusable cups can be, they’ll be excited for reducing their environmental footprint as well.
Disposable Cups Environmental Impact
Disposable coffee cups may seem harmless, but their impact on the environment is far from insignificant. Here are some key points to consider:
- Plastic Lining: Contrary to popular belief, most takeaway coffee cups have a thin plastic lining to prevent leakage. This lining takes a long time to decompose, contributing to plastic pollution.
- Landfill Accumulation: With over a billion disposable coffee cups ending up in landfills each year, they further contribute to the mounting waste crisis. These cups do not break down easily, resulting in a steady accumulation of non-biodegradable materials.
- Resource Consumption: Producing disposable coffee cups requires significant resources, including trees for paper cups and fossil fuels for the plastic lining. Our unsustainable consumption of these finite resources exacerbates environmental degradation.
- Recycling Challenges: Despite efforts to promote recycling, disposable coffee cups pose unique challenges due to the plastic lining. Many recycling facilities are unable to separate the plastic lining from the paper, making recycling these cups difficult and often inefficient.
Reusable Coffee Cup Benefits
Investing in personalised reusable coffee cups offers numerous benefits beyond reducing waste. Consider the following advantages:
- Environmental Conservation: By using a reusable cup, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint by eliminating the need for disposable cups. Imagine the collective impact if everyone in your office or community switched to reusable cups!
- Cost Savings: While the initial cost of a reusable cup may be higher than a disposable one, the long-term savings are substantial. Many coffee shops offer discounts for customers using their own cups, making it a cost-effective choice.
- Temperature Retention: Reusable cups are often designed to retain heat better than disposable cups, ensuring that your coffee stays hot for longer periods. No more lukewarm coffee!
- Customisation: Reusable cups can be customised with unique designs, logos, or names. They can become a reflection of your personality, allowing you to express yourself while enjoying your favourite caffeinated beverage.
Conclusion
As International Coffee Day approaches, let us reflect on the impact our coffee-drinking habits have on the environment. Upgrading to reusable coffee cups is a simple yet effective way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. By understanding the environmental impact of disposable cups and the benefits of their reusable counterparts, we can make informed choices that benefit both our planet and our daily coffee rituals. Together, let us raise our personalised reusable cups and celebrate International Coffee Day while taking a step towards a greener and more sustainable future. Cheers!
Details first spotted here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-03/takeaway-coffee-cups-piling-up-in-landfill/7136926 and here: https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-drink/drinks/tea-and-coffee/articles/are-takeaway-coffee-cups-recyclable
