Eco-Challenge #5: Coffee Cup Conundrum
Post by dina in BabySteps
November 09, 2009
Feeling refreshed and ready to get back to the Eco-challenge after a week off. It’s a good thing because this challenge is going to be the toughest one yet! Here it is...
MightyNest Eco-challenge #5 – NO paper coffee cups for 1 week!
As you may already know, I’m 100% addicted to Starbucks. I need 2 venti mochas per day – once in the morning and once in the late afternoon or evening. That’s two cups, two lids, two sleeves every single day!
And that's just me. There are lots of others out there with the same addiction. According to this post on Green Daily, Starbucks customers “go through 2 billion -- that's BILLION with a "B" for bad -- cups a year.” That’s a lot of cups!!!
Looks like Starbucks is working on greening their cups – but not for a while. On their site it says by 2015, 100 percent of their cups will be reusable or recyclable. They even held a 2009 Cup Summit at their headquarters earlier this year, bringing together thought leaders to brainstorm a recyclable cup solution. Sounds like a ton of fun.
But since I’m not waiting until 2015 for my next mocha – I’m going to give the reusable mugs a try.
This week I’ll be trying out two new coffee mugs from MightyNest. The Raya Stainless Steel Tumbler by Thermos and the very fancy Fashion Tumbler – also by Thermos. Will let you know what I think at the end of the week!
Wish me luck!
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Dear Fellow Siren Goddess -
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are so right. I haven't been to the drive-thru yet this week so I didn't even think about that! I mean - I guess if you drink just regular old coffee you could wait until you got up to the window to give them the cup but ... if you drink regular coffee why on earth are you going to Starbucks anyway??? Right? Now THAT you CAN make at home, unlike our fancy drinks. You have furthered my conundrum. Grrrrr. I will think and ask my friends at MightyNest.
Dina
Eh, so here's my dilemma oh Goddess of Siren-labeled coffee. (and part of it is not to eco-friendly, be forewarned!) So... how do I go about using my own cup at a drive-thru Starbucks?
Yes, I know the socially responsible thing would be not to sit in my big car and order coffee from the comfort of my driver's seat, but honestly dragging my two non-Starbucks friendly children into a store twice a day is not going to happen. I'm all for bringing my own cup, but I don't want to be THAT car in line. Thoughts?
Oh, and I'm proud of you, BTW.. this eco-challenge is a big one for you.
Katy - Thanks for the support! Let's be clear though that i absolutely should NOT be drinking fancy coffee twice a day! I just have no will power whatsoever, especially when it turns all crisp and cold outside. I often say I work to support my Starbucks habit - and I'm kind of not kidding.
And Jeff - you are so right. I do get quite a few comments from people trying to save me from financial ruin courtesy of starbucks. It will be a nice break. Oh and thanks for following along with me in the challenge in spirit!
You can do it, Dina! Having two good BPA free travel mugs is GOOD. That means you won't have to run to the car before the staff meeting and clean the cold coffee slime out before you refill. Yuck! (Can you tell I do this often?). I'm rooting for you, and wish I could consume fancy coffee twice a day (sigh).
The best apart about this challenge is that no one will be able to tell that you over-payed for coffee now :) Just kidding.
Good luck and this is a good challenge. I don't drink coffee or anything like that which has paper or plastic cups or I would give this a go.