Many of us drink coffee/tea on- the- go as part of our morning routine, at lunch time, and maybe once more in the afternoon : if any or all of these are you, read here for an easy, one- step move that will bring you, and us all, closer to solving a big problem: single use packaging.
Think of the countless coffees you've had. Now think of all the cups that have conveniently held that coffee for you. The truth is: all those coffee cups build up. It is a LOT, but lucky for us, there is a fast and easy solution. You never see me without mine: reusable coffee cups! They're an accessory, they're practical, and now you can drink your coffee guilt- free.
In no way am I affiliated with this company, SlM, but I love my cup from them, which I got through amazon: it comes in a ton of patterns and colors, several sizes, and with a couple different lids and straws. To make it really easy: https://www.simplemodern.com/products/classic-tumbler-20oz?variant=16197912494152 or through amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Modern-Classic-Tumbler-Straw/dp/B07D4BF1LY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=slm&qid=1586924281&sr=8-1
Of course there are other brands, all of which do the job, and I only mention this one because it has served me well. (Please feel free to share any brand you bought from that works & link it!)
The investment is worth it. Need more convincing? Glance at the numbers below.
Relevant Data
Individually, utilizing 1 disposable cup of coffee per day produces about 23 pounds of waste per year, and the vast majority of this ends in the landfill
Paper cups end in the landfill because of their plastic lining and coffee contamination, which render them not recyclable
A study by Starbucks found that each individual cup was responsible for 0.24 pounds of carbon emissions, which multiplied by 365, would result in 87.6pounds of carbon emissions - from your coffee cups alone - per year
16 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year...
...translating to 6.5 million trees being cut down...
....along with 4 billion gallons of water gone....
.... and enough energy to power 54,000 houses...
..... all WASTED
(Source: https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2015/06/the-effects-of-paper-coffee-cups-on-the-environment)
These numbers may look big, but do not let them make us feel small. Join me in doing our part!