TO GO, BUT MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE!
When was the last time you grabbed a coffee, tea, or any other drink "to go"? Was it last Saturday at Starbucks after a long but fun shopping spree? Or maybe at your local bakery, where you fuel up every morning with a caffeine boost? Or was it at a festival? A party?
Let’s face it: there are countless places where you can get your drinks to go. And that’s totally fine – I’m not here to tell you to quit your morning coffee ritual or avoid all the parties. Life’s short, enjoy it! But I do have one question for you:
The last time you got a to-go drink, did you bring your own cup?
If yes, high five! You’re a badass eco-warrior. If not, well… it’s time to rethink a few things. Don’t worry, I’m not talking about impossible habits or crazy commitments you’ll give up on after a week. This is about small, sustainable choices. Tiny changes that make a HUGE impact.
THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT DISPOSABLE CUPS
Back to my question: when was the last time you used a single-use cup? Now, let’s switch it up: How often per year do you use disposable cups?
Here’s the deal: 500 billion disposable cups are used every single year worldwide. Yep, that’s billion with a B. And depending on the material, these cups can take 20 to 500 years to decompose.
BUT WHAT ABOUT PAPER CUPS?
You’re probably thinking: “It’s fine, my coffee came in a paper cup, so I’m not harming the environment!”
Oh, sweet summer child. Think about what happens to paper when it gets wet. Yep, it absorbs water. But have you noticed that this doesn’t happen with your paper cup? That’s because it’s lined with plastic.
While it’s less plastic than a fully plastic cup, these so-called "eco-friendly" paper cups can actually be worse.
CAN’T WE JUST RECYCLE THEM?
Ha, if only it were that simple. Recycling cups has always been a nightmare. Sure, some cups are made from recycled materials, but recycling them again? Not so easy. Especially paper cups – to recycle them, you have to separate the paper from the plastic lining, which requires fancy tech and a lot of effort.
And don’t be fooled by the “biodegradable” label. That doesn’t mean you can just toss it on the compost or out the window and watch it magically disappear. Biodegradable cups need special conditions to break down – like specific heat levels and processing methods that most recycling plants just don’t have.
THE CHANGE YOU CAN MAKE
Here’s the game-changer: Bring your own reusable cup.
It’s a one-time investment that could save tons of waste and make a massive difference for the planet.
Sure, it might take some time to get used to. Forget your cup at home once? No biggie – try again tomorrow. Pack it the night before or set a reminder on your phone. And if you’re serious about it, promise yourself: No cup, no coffee. Science says it takes about 21 days to build a habit. Stick to it, and you’ll feel great knowing how much waste you’re cutting out.
BONUS PERKS!
More and more cafés are offering discounts for reusable cups – from €0.10 to €1 off your drink. And reusable cups are EVERYWHERE. Your local coffee shop probably sells some, or check out brands like solcups, stojo (collapsible and saves bag space!), frankgreen, jococups, and more.
Better yet, convince your favorite café to start a cup rental system. You leave a deposit for a reusable cup and get it back when you return it.
MAKE IT SIMPLE. MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE.
This isn’t rocket science, people. Small actions add up to big changes. Grab a reusable cup and make a statement. Because saving the planet starts with the tiniest step – and it can start with your coffee.
Damn Plastic says: “Single-use is for losers. Reusable is for rockstars!” 🌍✨
