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BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 Biters bring their own mugs to the café, in a year we'll avert the weight of 1,517 baristas in disposable-cup waste.
COCKTAIL FACT
In Amsterdam, coffee shops serve marijuana in addition to coffee.
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home › tip library › Reusable Mugs
Wanna take the junk out of "coffee junkie"?
The Bite
Cut the junk by cutting your disposable cup habit. Instead of a foam or paper cup, sip your daily dose out of your own travel mug if you are on the go, or ask the café for a "to stay" mug if you have a few minutes to hang.The Benefits
- Cutting waste. If you purchase one cup of coffee every day in a disposable container, you create about 23 lb of waste each year.
- Fewer noxious chems. Polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) can actually disrupt your hormones, and the chlorine used to bleach paper cups creates carcinogenic dioxins during production.
- Saving cash. Many coffeehouses offer a small discount to customers who bring in their own reusable containers.
Personally Speaking
Despite the goofiness of her laughing-cow mug, Jenifer's resolved to take it with her to the nearby café when she needs an afternoon pick-me-(c)up.Wanna Try?
- Biter Mugs - new, mini French press commuter mugs that brew loose tea and java; 14 oz, stainless-steel ($24).
- Stainless Steel Travel Mug - simple, 16-oz mug with a stainless-steel interior and acrylic exterior, with 11 color options ($10).
- Thermos Vacuum Bottle - safe, 17-oz, glass option in three colors keeps your java warm longer ($9).
Nov 19,2007
Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Latte Lazy
The only thing I enjoy less than ironing is single-dish washing. Rolling up your sleeves, filling the basin with soapy warm water, and digging in is one thing, but when need to get going and require a specific tool or dish to continue on, it's truly annoying to stop what you're doing and suds up (not to mention that is wastes more water than doing a batch at a time).
This has always been my problem with owning a commuter mug-the need to wash it every day before getting to making a cup of tea or coffee...and so many of them have complicated parts, so it can take some effort to clean it thoroughly - clearly, not a morning person. (Feel free to chuckle at how pathetic that sounds - nay, is.)
For me, it's all about the regular old ceramic mug (preferably one with a funny message or cute animal on it to fight a.m. grog) that gets a quick rinse daily, but a real wash only on weekends. I can't take it with me, but I'm sure you won't be surprised that I also consider walking to work in the early morning and drinking tea or coffee at the same time...challenging.
-Jenifer Morgan...off pick up a commuter mug for my favorite carpooling rise-and-shiner...
This has always been my problem with owning a commuter mug-the need to wash it every day before getting to making a cup of tea or coffee...and so many of them have complicated parts, so it can take some effort to clean it thoroughly - clearly, not a morning person. (Feel free to chuckle at how pathetic that sounds - nay, is.)
For me, it's all about the regular old ceramic mug (preferably one with a funny message or cute animal on it to fight a.m. grog) that gets a quick rinse daily, but a real wash only on weekends. I can't take it with me, but I'm sure you won't be surprised that I also consider walking to work in the early morning and drinking tea or coffee at the same time...challenging.
-Jenifer Morgan...off pick up a commuter mug for my favorite carpooling rise-and-shiner...
Biter Comments...
My "Carbon Neutral" coffee mug created a buzz, beyond the caffeine, in our break room.
A lot of green conversations sprouted from the message on my mug
http://www.cafepress.com/earthrising4
Hey Mae! I get my daily fix at Starbucks occasionally, and it actually isn't hard at all using a travel mug- because they have a little post-it that they put right on the mug with your order.(ps. I know all about the hastle with complicated drinks as well, as my usual is: extra-hot, soy latte with only 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce with spices no whip.)
Thanks for the encouragement Rebecca! I'm totally trying it tomorrow.
Two more suggestions...
For those who can't wash their travel mugs in the morning, they might crochet or knit up or sew up a cup cozy and use that to prevent the burn instead of those twig-usin' cup sleeves. How many cup sleeves can you get out of a redwood? Plug that into your data processor!
And cleaning that mug...get a fantabulous bottle scrubber with both a fat end and a skinny end and give a couple swish swashes and away you go, splash free down the roadway.
Q: When will Starbucks and Pete's start offering organic beanos?
When I go to my favorite coffee haunt I ask them to put in one of their mugs already. They find it funny but wonderful. Now when I drive up they have it practically ready for me since I rarely change my order.
Lately I just drink coffee at home and rinse out my reusable coffee mug. :D
About 7 or 8 years ago one of my daughters gave me a fantastic all ceramic travel mug with a simple rubberish lid that was shaped like the metal travel mugs that are sold everywhere and fit in cup-holders. I LOVED it because I hate the taste and feel of metal with my morning tea.
Unfortunately, I managed to lose it somewhere in my travels... And the shop where she bought it is no longer in business... Devastated!
I've been looking for a replacement for it ever since.
Help! Any clues?
I just found this site through myspace.
I have checked out the site and LOVE IT!!!
I read the daily tip and...
I am a big coffee drinker and carry my own mug around already. I recycle, and all that.
I am currently working on a completely organic diet to support not using chemicals that can potentially harm our earth. By eating more and more organic I have notice a change in my energy level the bag/dark rings under my eyes have even started to go away. I think its great and credit that to the organic foods. Of course I have cut myself off alot of junk foods and try to find all natural ways around eating junk food. I think everyone whos into it and even those who are not should try it.
Betty--
I'm with you on the metallic (or even plastic) taste that is imparted with most travel mugs but use them anyway. My husband is particularly turned off by it, so the ceramic travel mug is a great idea. Here's a link to one that I found: http://www.coffeecakes.com/product-information-coffee-travel-mug-ceramic.html
Great find, Patricia. However, check this mug out at the same site
http://www.coffeecakes.com/20-ounce-ceramic-travel-mug-red.html
for the mighty drinkers and attractive too. Problem...which color? Never liked pink, but might just change my mind for this mug.
Thanks for the information. I will definitely try that.
http://www.www.promotegreenliving.com
This is a fantastic site! We saw you on the Today Show a week or so ago....rock on!!!
Thank you for bringing green awareness to the morning news!
Thank you, Patricia!!!
I'll be spending some money tonight...! Two sizes, 6 colors... I'm in heaven!!!
I'd buy them all, but since we live full-time in our RV and our cupboard space is limited, I'll have to make some decisions...
Thanks again!
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Mae | November 19, 2007 at 10:09 AM