23 billion disposable coffee cups were thrown away in 2010, that’s equivalent to 363 million pounds of waste!*
Plus, most disposable paper cups are actually coated with plastic resin and cannot be recycled!  By switching to a reusable coffee mug and sleeve you can trash the ‘disposable’ habit in style!

Reusable coffee mugs are everywhere these days and have transcended from cup to accessory.  They come in everything from metal to plastic to porcelain.  Some come with sleeves and are even made to look exactly like a paper cup, others are designed suit your personal style and personality.

Simply switching to a reusable cup is in fact a very environmentally friendly choice, but the mass market is so flooded with options it is hard to find an environmentally-friendly-made mug or sleeve:

“I am not a paper cup…”
This paper-cup-look-alike by DCI is made from double walled porcelain with a silicone lid. It is both microwave and dishwasher safe and said to be “responsibly made” in China.  While the 10 ounce size is only available in white but the 16 oz. Eco Cup comes in a variety of colors and patterns. They easily replace disposable coffee cups and are easy for your barista to handle.  You can get this clever disposable cup replacement on Amazon or Target for under $20.

 

 

 

 

KeepCup
Made from polypropylene #5 (the safest food-grade plastic) the KeepCup is BPA free and manufactured in Victoria, Australia (not China) by an “environmentally-friendly manufacturer”. Available in a range of colors and combinations this handy plastic mug fits in standard cup holders, keeps your drink warm or cold and is spill proof. Available on Amazon in two sizes: 8oz $10.99 and the 12oz $12.99 by eko tribe.

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping your coffee hot and your hand cool is a difficult task, but those little sleeves do the job great, unfortunately they contribute to the millions of pounds of disposable coffee trash that finds its way into our landfills.  Manufacturers and designers the world over are creating great reusable alternatives like these great options:

 

Contexture Design
Simply and sustainably designed, this coffee cuff by Contexture Design, is meant to be worn both as stylish jewelry as well as on your coffee cup.  Handmade from reclaimed architectural veneer offcuts these wood cuffs retail for $79 online and are easy to remember because you’ll never want to take it off!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Sweet Joy!
Handmade from project scraps, Oh Sweet Joy’s coffee cuffs are super cute, fit standard coffee cups and are sustainable too.  Check out her current selection of limited edition coffee cuffs for only $10 each at www.ohsweetjoy.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countless more handcrafted, upcycled and recycled options are available on Etsy – check them out today!

Now that you are outfitted with a cool cup & sleeve — fill it up with your favorite fair trade, organic coffee and sip in sustainable style!

*Source: Sustainability Is Sexy

Images courtesy of DCI, eko tribe, Contexture Design, Oh Sweet Joy!, and Etsy.