How to Choose a Reusable Coffee Cup
Us Aussies love our coffee. We are well regarded for our café culture, and it’s not something we take lightly. But what about the detrimental impacts this coffee craze has on the environment?
Australians use over 1 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Coffee cups have a dreadfully short lifespan, especially when you consider the amount of energy, water and resources it costs to produce and transport them. I don’t know about you, but my coffee does not generally last much longer than 5 minutes.
Whilst it looks as though coffee cups are made of paper, they are actually coated with a plastic lining which makes them impossible to recycle. And so, they pile up in our rubbish tips and don’t break down. Because of this, we are turning to reusable coffee cups to counter the problem.
The market has exploded, and whether you go for insulation, ability to seal or aesthetics, you will end up with a bunch of coffee cups that look similar and are at comparable price points. How do you figure out which reusable coffee cup is best for you? Here are some of my favourites to guide you on your way.
This is my favourite cup to drink out of. Extra kudos to them as they manufacture locally in Victoria, which saves lots of transportation fuel and resources. They’re easy to purchase and have tonnes of stockists. You also have the option to choose your own design on their website.
This is the only coffee cup I would confidently chuck in my bag without fear of coffee spillage. Their designs are slick, and they have just released a cup with Visa Paywave. Frank Green is the best choice for those who like to get their coffee to take and have later.
Hydroflask is the best coffee cup for slow drinkers. The insulation on these mugs is just like a thermos, so in theory you could keep sipping all morning (if you can resist). They also support the environment through their NFP leg, Parks for All – kudos to you Hydroflask!
This is my pick for people who love their iced coffees. They make great large, insulated coffee tumblers, and can also double as a water bottle. Klean Kanteen is a member of 1% for the Planet, and have committed to giving 1% of their sales back to the environment.
This brand is best known for their water bottles, but they also do an epic coffee cup. What I love most about this brand (apart from their bright artsy designs) is their commitment to the community. They partner with Clean Coast Collective to sponsor clean-ups around the world.
An actual cup
This may just be my most genius idea yet. Maybe the best answer has been staring us in the face this whole time. We all have kitchens full of mugs ready for use, or alternatively, most of us can spare 5 minutes to enjoy our coffee in the café (you won’t even need to wash the mug yourself). Do we really need a fancy cup to get coffee when we have access to perfectly good ones? Maybe – I’ll leave that answer up to you!