Impact Reusable Coffee Cups Compared to Disposable Cups
Research on environmental impact disposable coffee cups vs reusable cups
At a time when sustainability and environmental awareness are paramount, it is crucial to become aware of the environmental impact of our everyday habits. One clear example of a habit with significant environmental impact is the use of disposable coffee cups, which are often discarded and burned after a single use.
The Netherlands has the total coffee consumption of about 18.6 billion cups of coffee per year. Remarkably, more than 90% of this consumption takes place in offices and businesses, where coffee is often served in single-use cups that are discarded after use. This practice led to the launch of the Coffee Cup Pact, a collaboration between 60 partners with the goal of finding sustainable alternatives. The goal is to make reusable coffee cups the norm in office environments starting Jan. 1, 2024.
SUP legislation
The SUP (Single Use Plastics) legislation has now been approved in politics and will come into effect January 1, 2024. So there is not very much time left to make the move from disposable cups to reusable cups. More information on this SUP legislation can be found at: Single Use Plastics Legislation
Independent research by the Coffee Cup Pact
The Coffee Cup Pact's central research question is, "What is the most sustainable reusable coffee cup?" A comprehensive study included seven different materials examined on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) basis.
Production Phase
The LCA study found that the greatest environmental impact in the production phase came from raw material extraction and manufacturing. The study assessed the materials on four key environmental impact indicators: Climate Change, Fossil Depletion Potential, Toxicity and Natural Land Transformation. Interestingly, light cups made of Polypropylene (PP) had the lowest environmental impact, while ceramics and stainless steel had the highest environmental impact.*
Use phase
Over three months, eight pilots were conducted at different organizations to assess the phases of use. The study showed significant support for the introduction of reusable cups (89%). Annual reusable cups were found to be more cost-effective than single-use cups. In addition, the frequency of washing up has a significant share in the overall environmental impact of the cup. It is essential to minimize the frequency of washing up and use green power during the use phase to reduce the environmental impact.
Processing Phase
The final phase of the cup, the processing phase, showed that it is possible to collect and recycle PP and stainless steel. However, glass and ceramics remain challenging to collect. Recycled PP (rPP) currently has a lower market value than virgin PP, and there is little producer demand for rPP. It is important to note that there are often no specific processes for the collection and return of coffee cups, so many cups currently end up in residual waste.
What material is best for a reusable coffee mug?
The research indicates that the degree of sustainability of a material and cup depends on two crucial indicators: the environmental impact at the production stage and the return rate (the percentage of cups still in use at the end of the use period).
1. Polypropylene (PP, heavy)
- Environmental impact: 31-39%
- Return rate: 95%
2. Borosilicate glass
- Environmental impact: 39%
- Return rate: 90%
3. Polypropylene (PP, light)
- Environmental impact: 9%
- Return rate: 65%
4. Ceramics
- Environmental impact: 114%
- Return rate: 96%
5. Stainless steel (SS)
- (not tested)
Based on this research, it appears that the cup made of Polypropylene (PP) with the lowest environmental impact is the most sustainable choice. Interestingly, if we include the return rate in the analysis, the heavier version of the PP cup emerges as more sustainable. This is due to the low return rate of the light PP cup, which leads to the need for 35% additional cups for replacement, which increases the environmental impact.
Savings in practice:
Total coffee consumption in offices and businesses represents a significant volume and therefore a significant environmental impact. This research highlights the need to embrace reusable coffee cups and accelerate the shift to a more sustainable future.
At a time when the disposable society is no longer sustainable, it is clear that reusable coffee cups can save a significant amount of disposable cups and environmental impact. Switching to reusable cups can not only be cost-saving, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for our environment and future generations.
A good alternative: TravelCup coffee cup from Retulp:
One of the striking findings of this study is that the TravelCup from Retulp, made of heavy-duty Polypropylene (PP), emerges as one of the most sustainable alternatives. With a low environmental impact in the production phase and a high return rate, the TravelCup offers an effective way to reduce disposable cups and protect the planet.
At a time of emphasis on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint, choosing reusable coffee cups, such as the TravelCup from Retulp, is a step in the right direction. Together, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for the Netherlands and the planet.
This article shows the significant savings and environmental benefits of reusable coffee cups compared to disposable cups, and highlights the impact of reusable options such as the TravelCup from Retulp.
