Ditch the disposable cup
How do you take your coffee? Flat white, espresso, with a dash of global waste and climate change? Around 5 billion disposable coffee cups are used around the world every year, yet less than 1% are recycled.1
Carrying your own reusable cup when you’re out and about will help cut down on unnecessary waste while saving natural resources and reducing carbon emissions. It might even get you some money off your morning joe, too.
Money
More and more high street and independent coffee shops now offer a discount if you bring your own reusable cup for your tea or coffee. At Starbucks and Costa, for example, you’ll save 25p. Some don’t advertise this discount though, so don’t be afraid to ask.
If you get a coffee every morning on your way to work, that’s a saving of £65!
Waste
Less than 1% of disposable paper cups are recycled in the UK every year, while in the US over 50 billion cups end up in landfill sites.2 But the reason isn’t necessarily our poor recycling habits...
Despite looking like a harmless paper cup, the vast majority of disposable coffee cups are made up of layers of paper stock and plastic lining - which is obviously necessary for waterproofing purposes. Unfortunately, most recycling plants can’t process these cups, because they can’t separate the different layers.3
That means even if you’re recycling your cups, they’ll probably all end up in the same place: landfill.
Health
Hot liquids can cause the plastic polyethylene lining in paper cups to break down and leach into your drink. That means you’re probably getting an unwanted dose of microplastics alongside your daily caffeine hit.4
If your cup is made of polystyrene, your drink could be infused with a chemical called styrene, which has been linked to several health issues and which the US National Research Council believe is a human carcinogen.5
So ditch the disposable and pick up a reusable alternative - it’s healthier for you and the planet.
10.4 g
Climate change
We cut down 20 million trees to make disposable paper cups every year, using an astonishing 12 billion gallons of water.7
However, reusable cups come with a sizeable carbon footprint too - and so the climate impact of using a reusable cup isn't cut and dry. Not only do more materials go into making reusable cups, but they also need cleaning each time, using hot water and detergents.
On average, a steel cup has to be used 100+ times before its footprint is lower than that of its disposable counterpart. And a plastic cup needs to be used 30+ times. So if you buy one, be sure to make it last!
Global Goals
In September 2017, a historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'You mug' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:
12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Success Stories
2,950
Pledges
in total
8,716kg
CO2
pledged