Most people frequent the local cafe as part of their daily routine or weekend tradition. If you’re such a person, you may have fallen into a pattern of drinking and throwing away the disposable coffee mug. When presented with options that feel convenient in the moment, it becomes hard to break a habit.
The Problem with Disposable Cups
Every year, billions of disposable cups are used all around the world, with most of them only being used once and then discarded. The common assumption is that most of these mugs are easily recycled because they’re made of plastic or paper. However, this is simply not the case or even a practical option. Plastic cups are coated with plastic resin, which makes recycling difficult.
This means that most disposable cups are usually sent to landfills. This results in more waste in an era of diminishing landfill space and limited resources. Although some effort has been put towards making recycling possible, opting for resuable drinking cups is a much better option.
Why Consider the Alternative?
There are a handful of reasons why you should consider switching to a reusable coffee mug:
-Environmentally friendly: The production of disposable cups takes up lots of resources (think of materials, energy and transportation). On the other hand, reusable cups are more sustainable.
-Heat retention: Reusable mugs can keep your coffee hot for several hours. If you’ve been looking for something that will keep your coffee nice and hot, you’ll be glad to know that there are many insulated mug options.
-Convenient: Because most mugs are spill proof, you will no longer have to worry about coffee stains on your garments.
-Better Flavor: Drinking out of a reusable cup is infinitely more pleasant than is the case with disposable mugs that have plastic lids.
-Budget-friendly: A good number of establishments now encourage customers to bring their own mugs by offering lucrative discounts. So next time you’re visiting such a place, remember to carry your own mug and get a discount.
Choosing the Right Cup
As reusable cups become more popular, more and more cafes are now accepting different mug varieties. Most of them are usually made of ceramic, glass or plastic, with the main distinction being design and cost. There are a few tips that could help you find the right reusable coffee mug:
-Think of the various scenarios where you’ll use your mug before purchasing.
-If you have a friend who already uses one, ask them to allow you use it for some time to see if would suit you.
-If you prefer hot, blended or iced beverages, opt for an insulated mug.
-After purchasing, keep the receipt so that you can return the mug if you find it impractical.