Coffee Drinkers, What's It Gonna Take To Stop This?

A mountainous trash bin on a street in Boston. I've seen similar situations far too often.

So, serious question here. This is something that I think about ALL THE TIME and I finally have to ask all of my fellow coffee drinkers out there.

What would it take YOU to actually stop using disposable coffee cups and regularly use a reusable cup instead? 

 ☕ Would it be coffee shops simply not offering disposable cups?

 ☕ Would it be a bigger discount if you bring your own cup?

 ☕ Would it be an upcharge by coffee shops if you get a disposable cup?

 ☕ Would it be a law that says coffee shops can't use disposable cups?

 ☕ Would it be if disposable cups said phrases like, "I like waste." or "I'm a trashy human." or "This cup is harmful to my health."

 ☕ Something else?

I recently went into yet another coffee shop that has a bin with various holes for recycling and trash (ah hem, Starbucks). I saw the barista take the bags out back and when she came back in, I asked, "Do all of the trash and recycling bags just go in the same dumpster?"

Not surprisingly, the answer was, "Yes." So, even when customers think they're doing something good, they're not.

What are the reasons that I've heard from the numerous coffee shops and restaurants that I've seen do this?

"The landlord doesn't pay for a recycling pickup."

OR

"The customers don't put the right things in each bin."

Even given the options, customers regularly just put trash and recycling in both.

Why would any business spend money on making people feel better about their choices, only to throw it all away? Whatever the reason, it's more reminders that no matter how easy recycling is made, the reality of things actually being recycled is very low.

There was that great example about Starbucks at the end of 2024 about this.

So, what's the solution? Encourage Reuse! As consumers, WE have a lot of power. We can bring our own dang mugs!

When we choose to reuse, we know exactly where the reusables are going and the impact it's making. It's not wishcycling and hoping everyone in a chain does the right thing.

WE can do the right thing.

But again, what's it gonna take for people to actually do this?

For me, I made the decision over 17 years ago that I would not drink coffee out of a disposable cup anymore.

 ☕ I hated seeing discarded styrofoam cups in the streets. 

 ☕ Hot drinks tasted differently in plastic lined "paper' cups.

 ☕ I liked saving money by getting a discount.

 ☕ I liked the stainless steel cup that I had.

 ☕ I wanted to be an example.

Below is the impact that my 17 years of reusing coffee cups has made.

All of this said, I'd love to work with coffee shops, individuals, and organizations who are OR want to do more to promote reusable coffee cups. Reach out. Let's talk.

---

COMMENT SECTION BELOW