Reusable coffee cups: save money and reduce waste

Circular & Co coffee cup (made from coffee waste)

Around 30 million people in England visit a coffee shop at least once a year, with most visitors buying takeaway drinks at least a few times weekly.

This adds up to an enormous amount of disposable coffee cups, if people don’t bring or use reusable cups.

• Avoid caffeine drinks for pregnancy/nursing 
• Coffee shops can buy ethical coffee brands and serve with oat drink.
• Use with Sweet Freedom’s Barista syrups (sold with pumps in caramel, hazelnut, pumpkin spice and vanilla).
• Use a SinkShield to stop coffee grounds blocking sinks (just bin, to avoid caffeine and acids harming compost creatures). 

What’s wrong with disposable coffee cups?

Disposable coffee cups are made from paper (trees) but most are also lined with plastic, to keep them waterproof (and also have plastic lids). Plastic is made from oil, so that also supports the fossil fuel industry (which indirectly supports war, as most wars are caused by oil).

Serving disposable cups also is a cost factored into your daily java, so makes your coffee habit cost more, as the charge is passed on to the consumer.

If a person buys takeaway coffee each weekday on the way to the office, that’s around 260 disposable cups going into the trash each year, not to mention lids, stirrers, napkins etc.

The good news on reusable cups

With just one purchase a reusable coffee cup, you can:

• Do your bit to reduce the waste mountain
• Enjoy coffee is a comfortable cup (most have silicone bands to keep hands cool) and the lids are usually more secure than ones for disposable cups
• Usually enjoy a discount, as most coffee shops offer a few pence off each coffee, when you bring your own cup.

If you buy takeaway coffee each weekday on the way to the office, just one switch to a reusable coffee cup stops around 260 disposable cups going into the trash each year, not to mention lids (plus other unnecessary add-ons like stirrers and napkins).

How to switch to a reusable coffee cup

If you buy takeaway coffee each weekday on the way to the office, just one switch to a reusable coffee cup stops around 260 disposable cups going into the trash each year, not to mention lids.

Take your time to choose a reusable coffee cup that suits your lifestyle. Of course, one thing you could do  if you work in an office is to simply make your own coffee and use a mug! But if you do like takeaway coffee, here are tips on how to choose the best one for you. With careful use, it should last years:

Reusable coffee cups tend to come in different types:

• Borosilicate glass (toughened glass a bit like Pyrex dishes). Though not unbreakable, just less likely to smash if you drop it. But most people don’t often drop their coffee!
• Ceramic (these are popular, and often feature nice artwork like floral decorations etc)
• Reusable plastic (these are often made with waste materials).

Choose a cup that’s leak-resistant with a secure lid. Especially if you are travelling say on public transport where it may be a bumpy ride. If you drive, ensure it is designed to fit in gloveboxes. And also ensure the cup is barista-friendly, so fits into standard coffee machines to make your brew.

Most good cups are also insulated, to keep your drink hot before you reach your destination, if you’re not drinking your coffee immediately. They also keep iced coffee drinks cold.

Finally choose the right size for the kind of coffee you like. You can now buy tiny espresso reusable cups up to giant cups for coffeeholics!

How reusable coffee cups save money

As well as planetery benefits, choosing reusable coffee cups save you money. As nearly all takeaway stores offer a discount if you bring your own cup. Including independent café, which it’s always nicer to support.

Say you buy five takeaway coffees a week, and receive a 20p discount on each one. That’s over £50 saving a year. Or more if the discount is larger.

You could also choose to make coffee at home or in the office for some days, and just treat yourself to a takeaway coffee as an occasional treat. You could then still pour the coffee you make into a reusable cup.

How to take care of reusable coffee cups

A good coffee cup will cost you a few pounds, so take care of it to help it last longer. Wash it regularly (particularly if you use any kind of milk to avoid odours) and ensure the lids and seals are cleaned thoroughly. Most brands are dishwasher-friendly.

Once a month, disassemble the cup and soak the silicone seals and other parts in warm soapy water. Scrub the grooves and seal, then let everything dry completely while separated, before reassembling. This will prevent moisture trapped under the seals, a common cause of lingering smells.

Avoid very hot water, scouring pads or bleach.

If your cup develops odours or stains, usually these can be remedied, without having to bin or recycle the cup:

For coffee odours

• Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda in the cup
• Fill with warm or hot water
• Leave for several hours or overnight
• Do the same with the lid and silicone seal

For coffee stains 

• Make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a little water
• Apply to stained areas and leave for 10 to 15 minutes
• Gently scrub with a plastic-free sponge or bottle brush, then rinse

For stubborn stains, use cleaning vinegar:

• Fill the cup with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water
• Leave for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Wash with dish soap, then rinse well

Don’t mix vinegar and bicarbonate soda, as they will neutralise each other. Use one, rinse and then use the other if necessary.

Circular & Co reusable coffee cups 

Circular & Co is a smashing brand of reusable leakproof coffee cups, made from various types of waste products (the ones above are made from ocean waste). Sold in 8oz or 12oz sizes.

The cups are designed to last 10 years, and sold with a 2-year guarantee. The insulated design keeps drinks hot or cold for 60 to 90 minutes, and have easy one-hand opening, so you can drink your coffee on the go. Dishwasher-safe and easy to recycle at end of use.

Depending on the style and colour chosen, your coffee cup will be made from:

• Upcycled gum (above)
• Fabric waste
• Old trainers
• Coffee waste
• Paper cups
• Ocean waste
• Recycled stainless steel

You can also buy spare lids to avoid having to replace the cup, if you lose or damage the one you’ve got.

Read our interview with Circular & Co!

BU double-walled glass coffee cup

BU double-walled glass coffee cup is sold in three sizes and features an ergonomic spout for spill-resistant sipping and odour-resistant borosilicate glass is lightweight yet durable, and dishwasher-safe. The lid is not leakproof so don’t store upside down when full. Sold in three sizes (8oz, 12oz and 16oz).

Stafli silicone collapsible coffee cup

Stafli silicone coffee cup is not just reusable but collapsible, so easy to store and carry around, ideal for travel. It also won’t add any extra weight to your luggage. Sold in several colours.