In the UK, we drink approximately 95 million cups of coffee a day, and at Project Merchandise, we have more than our fair share, which inspired us to compile some of our favourite reusable coffee cups that reduce our reliance on single-use.
Our insatiable thirst for coffee popularity means we’re rarely more than a stone’s throw away from a Starbucks, Costa or Caffe Nero, to name just a few of the bigger chains. On the high street, café culture has boomed too. 80% of people who visit coffee shops do so at least once a week, and 16% of us head in for a cup every day.
Pop in to grab a cup to go and you’ll most likely leave with a paper coffee cup. The appearance of these leads many consumers to assume that these are a more sustainable choice. Problem is, with very few exceptions, they aren’t just paper. They’re actually coated with a thin coating of polyethylene, to make them waterproof.
Why’s that a problem then?
This coating is a real nightmare for recycling facilities to separate from the paper, meaning they’re not widely recyclable. We found just three facilities in the UK that can get the job done. So while they are technically recyclable, we actually recycle less than 1 in 400.
So what do we do?
With a grab-and-go coffee part of the daily routine for so many, we get through 7 million disposable cups per day. And it’s all avoidable if we use reusable coffee cups. By doing more to encourage their use, there’s huge potential for reduction. It’s an easy way to get your brand noticed too, with sustainable branded merchandise to say “we’re doing something to cut down on single-use products”.
Many coffee shops even offer a discount for bringing in a reusable cup.
50p off: Pret A Manger, Paul, Pure
45p off: Leon
25p off: Starbucks, Costa, M&S Café
With those sorts of discounts available daily, it’s definitely worth making the switch to reusable, right?
Here’s a few of our favourite coffee cups.
We’re obsessed with the multi-purpose SoleCup. Made from tough borosilicate glass it’s perfect for a morning coffee. Available with a detachable loose tea infuser for a brilliant brew, plus a super smoothie filter, SoleCup is ready for everything.
Available with printed or laser engraved branding, this handsome insulated mug has a premium cork detail, which makes for softer landings when the caffeine jitters set in.
What’s better for tackling the waste coffee cup problem than a reusable coffee cup made of…waste coffee cups? Designed for circularity, this innovative product is built to last 10 years, after which it’s fully recyclable itself.
Available in four sizes and a myriad of colours, the unique design of this reusable silicone cup means it collapses to fit neatly in your bag. To top things off, Stojo commits 1% of annual revenue to support environmentally focused non-profits.
Manufactured in the UK for a lower carbon footprint, the 100% recycled Americano is insulated to keep your cuppa hot, and features a twist-on lid that makes spills a thing of the past. Available with full wrap printed branding, it even comes packed in a home-compostable bag.
