People always seem to forget Reduce Reuse Recycle.
Recycle is the last option for a reason, because it's the last and worst case scenario.
We need to use less coffee cups and if possible reuse them. That's the solution.
Recycle is the last option for a reason, because it's the last and worst case scenario.
We need to use less coffee cups and if possible reuse them. That's the solution.
These cups are so much worse in terms of manufacturing emissions. I’ve read a comparison of single-use vs. Reusable shopping bags once, which estimated you’d need to use your tote for at least 5 times a week, ten years or more, to offset the emissions caused to manufacture it.
I’m afraid the actual solution is the most inconvenient one: Don’t drink coffee on the go. We won’t get anywhere by pretending we can continue living like we do right now.
Edit: found the source on the carbon footprint comparison: https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2018/02/978-87-93614-...
Time and time again, individuals have failed to rise to the challenge of tackling a minor inconvenience.
I use it when I need to grab something to eat from a store, some pre-packaged salads for example don't come with cutlery or it's so bad I'd rather not use it.
I can lick it and wipe it with the napkins and put it back in the backpack. Most of the times I remember to wash it properly when I get back home :)
This is obviously misinformation. Any time some industry is under attack, then all of a sudden “studies” appear that show these wild numbers that “prove” the status quo is “actually better for sure really I promise”, I don’t even need to read further. They either made up the data completely, or cherry-picked to such a level that it would only apply in the most unrealistic scenario.
A key clue here is the focus on manufacturing energy costs. What about the ongoing environmental impact of discarded bags clogging up rivers and oceans? What about the degradation into microplastic? There are probably dozens of other factors also not accounted for in studies like that.
You should easily be able to spot this misinformation. A re-useable bag is not 2500x more emissions than a disposable.
Single use plastics, but not bioplastics, are on the way out across Australia, and some more conspicuous forms like bags have recently been phased out. With bags the first step was to start charging for them at the till, which led to many choosing to byo. This was followed by a blanket ban (in my state anyway) in September this year which had suprisingly little fallout.
I also kind of like the idea / various iterations of the Freiberg cup [1], but the fact that they are so easily replaceable makes me wonder how many just end up discarded (esp by those who don't like carrying around a used cup). But I'm sure these questions have answers / solutions.
I'd have thought adding a bit more plastic to roll and cut a slightly thicker bag would have a negligible increase in overall impact. You could however easily be right too.
Either way without any reliable source it's fairly meaningless to have an opinion either way.
This sends the message that people with money can do whatever they want, environment be dammed. We need to simply ban things that are terrible for future generations, not continue to allow people with money to do it.
The cup is a product that is currently perceived as gratis / of zero value. Charging for it is intended as a disincentive. In the case of plastic bags (here) it largely worked as such (with prices as low as 10c per bag!) and paved the way for a ban. Though the parallel effect of more resource-intensive bags / cups entering the market / being treated as single use is always a consideration.
But to your broader point, for sure .. bring on a ban.
I don't think such a stigma exists? As a regular coffee drinker, I've never heard anyone comment upon anothers cup choice or even raise an eyebrow.
At some point using non-reusable cups and similar things should be akin to smoking in a crowd. And if smoking among other people isn't frowned upon wherever you live, you should start with that first =)
Yes, rich people can do what they want, but at least it doesn't hurt the rest of the people.
Doing so uses up more time and resources that could have been put to better use had the transaction never occurred in the first place.
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-...