How to Choose the Best Reusable Coffee Cup
There’s a high chance you spend a fair bit of time visiting your local coffee shop. But if you don’t use a reusable cup, each visit can add up to a lot of single-use waste.
Thankfully, there’s a wide choice of eco-friendly cups to choose from. We’ve rounded up the best of them below:.
Plastic
When it comes to reducing waste, a simple switch from disposable cups to reusable travel mugs can make a big difference. It can cut waste from landfill, and also save sanitary resources like garbage collection, industrial and hazardous waste management, and water and energy used to wash them.
Plastic best reusable coffee cup are made from a durable and lightweight material that is BPA-free, so you don’t have to worry about any unwanted chemicals in your morning cup of joe. They can be used again and again, but you will need to spend more time and energy washing them than a glass or stainless steel option. They’re also not as eco-friendly as other options due to the fact that they’re often fabricated from PLA or rPET plastic, both of which aren’t biodegradable. However, they are still much better than the average paper cup emblazoned with a cafe logo. That’s because most paper cups have a polyethylene plastic lining, which is hard to recycle and can only be separated by specialized facilities.
Glass
Glass reusable cups are a beautiful and sustainable way to combat plastic pollution. They’re made with a durable and fully tempered soda lime glass and come in a wide range of colours and sizes to suit your coffee or tea needs. Glass also naturally insulates your drink so you can carry it with comfort on your hands and prevent spillages.
Glass cups are a great alternative to disposable takeaway coffee cups and are made from the thickest of borosilicate glass to handle hot and cold temperatures. They’re completely free of chemicals, barista certified and modelled after standard cup sizes.
Our UWC Atlantic branded reusable glass coffee cup has a 12oz capacity which is perfect for Starbucks Tall, Costa Primo and Cafe Nero Regular sized coffees. It comes with a protective silicone band and lid (grip) and is dishwasher safe for your convenience. It’s also a fantastic choice for office staff as it fits neatly into cup holders.
Bamboo
Bamboo reusable cups have become increasingly popular, especially in the coffee industry, as consumers seek ways to reduce their plastic waste. Made from natural, sustainable bamboo fibres and GMO-free materials, they are lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly, taking a fraction of the time it takes for regular takeaway cups to break down in the environment.
However, new research has found that these eco-friendly bamboo fibre mugs may not be all that they are cracked up to be. German consumer group Stiftung Warentest tested 12 different bamboo reusable cups, and found that all of them contained melamine resin, which is linked to cancer, fibrosis, and nephrotoxicity.
To avoid this, look for cups that use rice husk or other alternative biodegradable glues. They’re still hardwearing, dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant to keep your drink hot or cold for hours on end.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is strong and durable making it the ideal material for shatterproof reusable cups. These cups also resist stains, and can be brushed to give them a polished appearance. This makes them great for travel. They are also hygienic and antibacterial which is especially important when you’re drinking out of them on a regular basis. This means that your cup won’t get all dirty with toxins from BPA like some plastics can do.
The best part of a stainless steel cup is that it can be used again and again, meaning you’re not contributing to the environment with single-use cups, which are often lined with plastics and other elements. Plus, they’re more insulated than glass, so you can keep your coffee hot for longer. They are also generally easy to clean. This makes them a great choice for people who tend to spill their drinks. However, they aren’t as leakproof as some of the other options on this list.