The Rise of the Reusable Coffee Cup

Up to 7 million coffee cups are being thrown away in the UK everyday with less than 1% being recycled.

But many of these cups are made from paper so surely these would be widely recycled? Nope! The problem lies with the mix of plastic film on the inside of the cups can’t be recycled plus the left-over coffee which can cause contamination.

Since MP’s have started calling for a 25p “late levy” on disposable coffee cups many coffee shops are now offering a discount for the use of reusable coffee cups. Some have even stopped offering disposable cups altogether and instead offering a discount if customers bring their own. This is making travel cups/mugs increasingly popular as thousands of us in the UK have purchased a reusable cup.

What makes a good reusable cup?

Firstly, you want it to be safe! Ensuring it’s BPA (Bisphenol-A) free and doesn’t contain any phthalates or glues. BPA is an oestrogen-imitating chemical used to produce reusable products. The problem with BPA is that it can leak from containers into your beverage and potentially harm your health.

Next, you need to make sure it’s environmentally friendly. There’s no point in getting a reusable coffee cup with the aim to reduce waste if it can’t be fully recycled itself. Ensuring all components of your cup is recyclable is key and definitely archivable since many are made using recyclable plastics, silicone, glass or bamboo fibres.

Find your perfect match

Whether you’re a latte lover or cappuccino connoisseur, you’ll know that no one size fits all. With thousands of designs and sizes out there, you’re sure to find one that suits you. If carrying an empty cup around isn’t for you then there are loads of foldable cups out there that you simply stuff into your bag or jacket pocket.