Feature Photo by WWF
How often have you picked up a coffee while on the move? Whether it’s on your commute to work or during a winter walk in search of warmth, we’ve all succumbed to the urge to grab a coffee or tea from a nearby café. However often you do this, that’s how many times you’ve thrown away disposable cups. Even when we choose to sit inside a coffee shop, many of us prefer to enjoy our hot drinks in takeaway cups. This could be due to lower costs, or perhaps the added convenience of being able to leave whenever we want, all while holding a warm beverage.
ABOUT NO DISPOSABLE CUP DAY
With an increasing awareness of the environmental effects of disposable products, No Disposable Cup Day has emerged as an important event that encourages us to embrace more sustainable habits in our everyday lives. This initiative specifically targets the widely used disposable cup, motivating individuals to transition to reusable options for their beverages. As we approach No Disposable Cup Day 2024, let’s explore the significance of this day, its origins, and the various ways you can get involved in this eco-friendly movement.
join the campaign
No Disposable Cup Day 2024 is a call to action – more than it is a campaign – aimed at decreasing the waste produced by disposable cups, which frequently end up in landfills or clutter our natural environments. By advocating for the use of reusable cups, this day plays a vital role in raising awareness about the small yet impactful actions that individuals can take to reduce waste and foster a more sustainable, eco-conscious society.
No Disposable Cup Day is observed annually on October 4th. This, this environmentally significant day falls on a Friday, offering an opportunity for individuals and communities to participate in activities and campaigns that promote the use of reusable cups.
The movement of No Disposable Cup Day was established because of a growing recognition of the environmental damage caused by disposable products, particularly single-use cups. This day was created to provide a dedicated opportunity for individuals and communities to unite in a collective effort to minimise waste and advocate for more sustainable practices. It teaches us that by making simple changes, such as using a reusable cup, we are taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable and eco-conscious world.
THE IMPACT OF DISPOSABLE CUPS
Disposable coffee cups have become an integral part of our daily routines, particularly in the UK, where coffee culture is flourishing. However, this convenience carries a substantial environmental burden. The consumption of disposable coffee cups in the UK has reached alarming heights.
recycling of disposable cups
Research from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) confirms that less than 1% of disposable coffee cups are recycled in the UK, in contrast to the 45% recycling rate for general household waste. This means most coffee cups end up in landfills or as litter, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose. These shocking statistics highlight the urgent need for sustainable alternatives and initiatives like “No Disposable Cups Day” to mitigate the significant environmental impact of disposable coffee cups.
ALTERNATIVES TO DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS
Fortunately, there are various alternatives to disposable coffee cups that can greatly minimise waste. One popular choice is reusable coffee cups. Typically crafted from materials like stainless steel or bamboo, these cups can be used multiple times, thereby decreasing the reliance on single-use options. Many coffee shops now incentivise customers to bring their own cups by offering discounts, and promoting the use of reusable alternatives.
- Pret A Manger provides a 50p discount
- Costa Coffee gives a 25p discount
- Starbucks offers a 25p discount
- Greggs presents a 20p discount
- Cafe Nero rewards users with 2 stamps (instead of one) on loyalty cards
However, the shift away from disposable coffee cups necessitates both individual and collective action. Presently, when buying a hot beverage from a coffee shop, choosing a disposable cup for takeaway is often less expensive than opting for a mug for in-store consumption. This is largely due to the added costs associated with serving drinks on-site. However, if every coffee shop reversed this trend and charged more for a takeaway cup than for a drink served in crockery—while still offering discounts for reusable cup users—more people would likely refrain from purchasing disposable cups.
brand recommendations
Green Tulip
Green Tulip is a UK-based brand launched back in 2007 to offer customers ethical products which are not only beautiful but also kinder to people and our planet. On this online shop, you’ll discover over 120 amazing ethical brands and over 1K products to choose from! Green Tulip always shares lots of information about these brands too, like their story and what makes them so special and ethical. Of course, they also have plenty of great reusable cups to choose from, in various shapes and sizes, like this Hunu Collapsible Silicone Cup.
Their mission is to make buying gifts easy from start to finish so they also offer a sustainable gift wrapping service for an extra £2.50 plus they also include a FREE greetings postcard with every order and their team will add a handwritten message for you giving it that personal touch! What a great touch!
Natural Collection
Another green marketplace recommendation for you! Natural Collection is the UK’s leading and award-winning green shop offering a department store range of ecologically considered products including organic cotton and fair trade clothing and accessories, gorgeous homeware and gardenware, energy-saving gadgets, organic cosmetics, eco cleaning products and much more. Their Circular & Co Black Reusable Coffee Cup is one-of-a-kind. Made from recycled single-use paper cups this reusable coffee cup has been designed for 360° drinking and is 100% leakproof. It’s quick and easy to open and close with one hand and it keeps your drinks hot or cold for approximately 60-90 minutes, making it perfect for when you’re on the go – especially if you drive.
Buy Me Once
Buy Me Once is another mission-led e-commerce platform. The aim of this company is to only sell the longest-lasting and best-quality products and they’re currently showcasing lots of unique independent brands across multiple categories. From home decor to tech gadgets, they have a lot of higher-end products in stock. The best part about this online marketplace is that you can filter your shopping and decide to shop by brand values, by material, by product guarantee or by brand mission. I find this approach to online green shopping absolutely refreshing and couldn’t be more in love with any e-commerce platforms out there! Check out this reusable cup duo available on their site – it includes both a water bottle and coffee cup, both in stainless steel with silicone design features.
Related – Happy Zero Waste Week!
Ocean Bottle
Ocean Bottle is a certified B Corp brand focused on reusables. For each of their Ocean Bottles sold, they collect 11.4 kg of plastic—equivalent to 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles—from coastal regions heavily impacted by plastic pollution, in collaboration with partners like Plastic Bank, Plastics for Change, and Repurpose Global to facilitate this collection.
Their award-winning reusable bottles, cups, and flasks are crafted from at least 65% recycled materials, making them both durable and dishwasher safe, while also being recyclable and partially made from recycled ocean plastic. Every Ocean Bottle is BPA-free, primarily constructed from stainless steel, and includes a 10-year guarantee. Since their launch in 2019, we have successfully prevented over 1 BILLION BOTTLES from entering our oceans. Do you need more reasons on why you should get yours now?
Friendly Turtle
Friendly Turtle is dedicated to promoting sustainability and eco-friendly living by offering environmentally responsible products and reducing waste. Their mission extends beyond being an online shop; they aim to raise awareness about sustainable and ethical living. Through their journey toward reducing waste, Friendly Turtle’s commitment includes offering sustainable alternatives like reusable coffee cups, lunchboxes, and plastic-free toiletries. Their products, like the Neon Kactus insulated reusable coffee cup, are crafted from eco-friendly materials such as stainless steel, BPA-free lids, and are designed to be leak-proof, chemical-free, and recyclable. Friendly Turtle seeks to inspire customers to make a positive impact on the planet.
Lochtree
Lochtree is a US-based company is building a marketplace and community that promotes positive environmental change and provides high-quality, convenient eco-friendly products. With their choice of plastic-free products, the Mizu V6 Water Bottle really stands out. It’s made from durable, food-grade stainless steel that never leaves a metallic taste in your mouth. And its double-walled vacuum seal keeps your drinks hot for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 24. So you can use it for water, tea, coffee, or even ice-cold drinks.
And Keep Shopping
&Keep is a sustainable shopping marketplace based in sunny Dorset. As their core mission is the belief that the things we buy are important, they provide a range of mindfully selected, eco-friendly, reusable and sustainable products, to help us make informed ethical purchases that protect the planet.
Most of the products they stock are plastic-free and, and where there is a little plastic (like their sports bottle tops), it’s the BPA-free kind and kept to an absolute minimum. All the brands they stock are all cruelty-free and not tested on animals and their delivery packaging is always completely plastic-free, and with recycled materials. All of their reusable cups in stock – whether for cold or hot drinks – have a straw feature as well, making them the perfect choice for your gym water bottle. Plus, they also offer a 10% discount to all new customers – all you have to do is sign up to their email list and redeem your offer!
And finally......
No Disposable Cup Day 2024 is a powerful call to action; this initiative is about more than just raising awareness—it’s about inspiring real change in our daily habits. By choosing reusable cups, we can significantly cut down on the billions of disposable cups discarded each year, helping protect our planet and reduce unnecessary waste. Join the movement, take action, and make No Disposable Cup Day part of your everyday routine!
#NoDisposableCupDay2024 #ReduceWaste #ReuseNotRefuse #SayNoToSingleUse