In the UK, we quaff around 55 million cups of coffeeper day, buying them on the go. Yet despite appearing to be being made of cardboard, the vast majority of single-use coffee cups (more than 99.75%) do not get recycled.
The mixture of paper and plastic in their inner lining - designed to make them both heat and leakproof - causes difficulties in the disposal, meaning that every minute over one million cups end up in landfill, or worse...
Call it The Blue Plant effect (the documentary highlighted what else can happen to our discarded rubbish). As fortunately, designers and retailers have cottoned on that we all want to do our bit and still stay in style, by bringing out a host of cool reusable travel mug designs that are practical and full of personality.
See the best brands for recycled homewares.
It's easier than ever to do our bit by buying a reusable cup. It'll even knock money off the daily caffeine fix, as most coffee outlets offer discounts to those who want to take their hot drink away in their own cups.
Now is the time to say goodbye to single-use plastics and pick up your macchiato, latte or flat white in one these stylish travel mugs.
Or go one better and brew your own coffee at home or at work in one of these cool cafetieres or coffee pots and take it with you.
Cup of Kahlo
Frida Travel Mug, £15, Tate Shop
Copper mine
To Go Click drinks cup, £24.95, Stelton
Travel well
Touch travel mug, £15, Nespresso
What a corker
Fika coffee cup, £19, KeepCup
HOT STUFF
Hot Stuff thermal mug, £16, ban.do
BLUE MONDAY
Made with bamboo fibre, this smart, navy blue reusable coffee cup is BPA and phthalate free. Dark energy 12oz eco coffee cup, £8.95, A Slice of Green
colour block
This reusable bamboo fibre coffee cup has a recyclable silicone sleeve to protect your hands from those boiling brews. Natural Elements Reusable 375 ml coffee mug, £6.99, Amazon.
terrazzo take out
Terrazzo bamboo travel mug, £9.99, Rex London
