Comments on: AskPablo: Disposable Cups vs. Reusable Mugs

By: Tim Dunn

Tim Dunn — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:48:32 +0000

Styrofoam can be eaten by microorganisms, contrary to popular belief. See http://biogreenproducts.biz

By: Niki Eder

Niki Eder — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:29:19 +0000

does the material intensity include the energy/water/GHG to manufacture the material into the cup. I am wondering if making a paper cup uses less than a stainless steel cup which is a harder material needing more energy to form. We are trying to choose the best option for our work place. Thanks for your help and awesome work.

By: paper cups

paper cups — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:09:36 +0000

great post, what are your thoughts on PLA cups/production and reports of land used for crops being turned over for production of pla?

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:04:11 +0000

Loved your articles on cups. I attend a very large church. Trying to come up with the most to least environmentally friendly disposable cups when reusables are not practical. What are your thoughts on the PLA cup, Bagasse cup, standard paper cup, and Styrofopam cup. Not just considering enery used and emissions to manufacture, but also considering damage to ecosystem, health risks, landfill space, distribution, etc What are your thoughts?

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:18:13 +0000

I have been asked to research the same issue — is it truly environmentally-preferable to switch to ceramic mugs from compostable cups, factoring in water and paper towels to handwash, and the energy and water to run dishwasher?
If someone’s already gone down this road, would be great to hear!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:41:14 +0000

Our office has made the switch to ceramic, which includes rinsing with hot running water and detergent. And using a dish washer at least twice a day (more water, detergent and electricity) has anyone else done the computation including these factors?

By: Samantha

Samantha — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:53:33 +0000

Hi Pablo,
At my office styrofoam and paper cups are provided in the staff kitchen. Several of us have approach management that we should ask employees to bring their own reusable cup and stop providing disposable cups. Our management considered this but came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be as environmentally friendly as it first appears to be since the cups would need to be cleaned and staff would run hot water, using dish soap to clean the cups each day and then would use paper towels to dry them…which would be more wasteful than the cup.
I am researching to put together a true cost comparison. Would you have some pointers?

By: Nicko

Nicko — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:38:41 +0000

Hi Pablo,
Just wanted to say “thanks” for putting the time and energy into this study. The research out there on this subject is few and far between. It’s been mentioned already, but I’d love to see numbers for the compostable cup made by the International Paper Company (Tully’s started using it about a year ago).

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:55:40 +0000

I think you may be missing the point thaikarl — most ‘efficient delivery system’? The most efficient is – using the same one everyday!!! It’s about garbage!!!! It does not matter to the landfill recieving the disposables if they were ‘low energy’ production garbage, or if they’re ‘efficint production’ garbage disposables — IT IS ALL GARBAGE!!!!! Trying to justify ‘one time use’ products is a little misguided and quite frankly sounds like scientific excuses to not have to carry a mug with you. Come on fella give that head a little shake! They will put your espresso in a fancy little REUSABLE mug for you! Try it and then you won’t care if ‘no one EVER listens’ or what the ‘FEEL IS THE RIGHT THING’ it will all be a mute point won’t it? Too many floating brains! There is a real world out there with real logic – real people and REAL ANSWERS! Keep it real.

By: thaikarl

thaikarl — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:03:23 +0000

some years ago i saw photocopied flyer inside the window of a close coffee stand comparing the energy,transportation and disposal costs of paper coffee cups vrs Styrofoam. Styrofoam cups were the clear choice. i have been looking for a knowledgeable source for this information since. here it is, and the ilea.org page referenced by another commentator is very good. i have tried to tell people that in reality, the Styrofoam cup is the most efficient beverage delivery container. but no one EVER listens. people love to believe their illusions about what is truth, and they FEEL is the right thing to do. big sigh. but i detest the taste of espresso in styrofoam. wah.

By: fritz

fritz — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:40:36 +0000

I’m unfamiliar with Material Intensity Factor. Can you explain and provide reference?

By: GK

GK — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:31:33 +0000

Excellent point Neil! Most people overlook the “cost” of washing said reusable mug.
Here is a report that didn’t
http://www.ilea.org/lcas/hocking1994.html

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:27:48 +0000

Unless I missed it here, I do not see any consideration of the environmental cost of washing the ceramic or steel cup/mug. One could say that if it is being added to a daily dishwasher load that would be running anyway, the cost is nil. However, assigning a proportional share of the cost of running the load (electricity, hot water, detergent, etc.) might be more valid. If washed by hand, there is still the hot water and soap to consider. Do you consider these costs negligible?

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:23:01 +0000

If you use your travel mug enough times chances are it will be more environmentally friendly than compostable. Compostables still need petroleum to be transported to the customer and then to the landfill/compost center unless you compost at home. The best bet for the environment I’ve found is using a reusable cup. If you don’t have one go to a consignment store or garage sale. Buying one used will greatly reduce the environmental impacts!