Comments on: Ask Pablo: The Coffee Mug Debacle

By: Laurens

Laurens — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:31:11 +0000

I disagree with the results. Here is much more solid and comprehensive research by TNO in the Netherlands.
Mugs are not so great (when cleaned with warm water).
http://www.tno.nl/content.cfm?context=markten&content=case&laag1=186&item_id=668&Taal=2

By: chloe

chloe — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:56:26 +0000

where is Pablo?? I’d be really interested in the answers to some of the last questions. Source of info etc.

By: Will

Will — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:24:26 +0000

Christine wrote:
“Cracks in mugs: I believe I heard somewhere that as natural materials, clays can contain heavy metals in low amounts which rely on the glazing to seal them against leaching by the hot liquids. Of course, the source and regulatory controls on the clays used in food contact items will vary based on the country of manufacture.”
I’ve wondered about the glazing myself.
Isn’t the glaze an additional factor in the creation of the ceramic mug?
For some reason, I seem to remember that – for some ceramics – lead is part of the glazing process? If that is true, I suppose we would want to assume that a glaze including lead would not be used with any ceramic products related to human consumption? But, unfortunately, I don’t think we can “safely” make that assumption.
I’ve been drinking from the same ceramic mug (made in Japan) for over ten years. I sometimes wonder if I might be/have been slowly poisoning myself with lead from the glaze or ceramic???
Will

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:54:32 +0000

Hi Pablo,
Can you provide references for the GHG emissions per unit mass of ceramic, PS, and SS. The numbers seem odd, especially coincidental that PS and SS are exactly the same and 43 times more than ceramic?

By: Max

Max — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:07:07 +0000

I am in a similar ‘Green Team’ like rema (see post above dated 2008-03-06 17:57). Any suggestions, Pablo? Thanks!

By: Quentin

Quentin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:40:30 +0000

I am not seeing the fact that styrofoam cups (and food trays, packing, etc for that matter) go into trash/landfills/ground after one use as a general rule and also what about the chemical components that I have heard are environmentally damaging found in styrofoam? Thanks, Quentin, PurePatrol

By: Patzt

Patzt — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:37:48 +0000

A burning question…
WHY is a coffee mug called a “MUG”? Some students wish to know.

By: rema

rema — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:57:11 +0000

Hi Pablo,
Your article and the discussion here as well as at Treehugger are enlightening, particularly as I am part of a team trying to green our workplace. Our cafetaria is open to the public – so it will be a challenge to introduce ceramic cups. Even staff who come for a coffee do not remember to bring their mugs down. Banning paper cups won’t work. Any other smart solutions?
Secondly, the cafeteria uses plastic forks, spoons, stirrers, sugar and salt sachets, plastic boxes for salad bar, foil trays for warm food, recyclable paper trays, transparent plastic glasses for drinking water. I am not sure what part of these items are recycable in New York or can be replaced with an economical and eco-friendly product.
Thirdly, and this is a behaviour observation. We have open recycle bins with large mouths. So even though one is garbage and the other for recycling, some people in a hurry and some who just dont notice/care just put food trash in either one without looking carefully. Again, any ideas? Keep in mind: the staff cafetaria cannot be too expensive as it helps with reducing staff stress, improves relations, etc… sorry for long post…

By: rema

rema — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:57:10 +0000

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:44:47 +0000

What about the trash? I am debating using ceramic cups for our church’s weekly coffee hour instead of paper ones. While reusing ceramic cups may not save much (or perhaps may increase) on energy consumption, what about the trash produced by throwing away cups every week.

By: sparsh

sparsh — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:39:05 +0000

I am wondering about the corn plastic mugs as well

By: tuan

tuan — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:22:42 +0000

hey its very good stuff, but could i please have the source? mainly for the calculation son environmental impacts created by the material and creating the products.thanks

By: tuan

tuan — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:22:34 +0000

hey its very good stuff, but could i please have the source? mainly for the calculation son environmental impacts created by the material and creating the products.thnaks

By: jon richmond

jon richmond — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:17:47 +0000

Hi,
I started out looking for information about the toxicity of plastic liquid containers for all kinds of items i.e coffee, tea, my protein shake, soup etc. Can any one shed light on this issue???