Comments on: AskPablo: Disposable Cups vs. Reusable Mugs

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:20:00 +0000

I actually really like the way you have presented your blog. Superb style and design..and well maintained..

By: Green Marketing: Going Beyond the Product to Target Behavior Change

Green Marketing: Going Beyond the Product to Target Behavior Change — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:06:01 +0000

[...] be disassembled and recycled. And if you knew that you had to use your stainless steel coffee mug 369 times in order for it to be more environmentally responsible than using paper cups, you would probably [...]

By: Vessel’s Clever Marketing Moves Consumers Away From Disposables

Vessel’s Clever Marketing Moves Consumers Away From Disposables — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:02:41 +0000

[...] you have to crunch a lot of numbers in order to accurately determine whether a ceramic or porcelain cup is truly “better” than a properly sourced paper version. But assuming the reusable is regularly used for a reasonable amount of time, it is still likely [...]

By: thaikarl

thaikarl — Sat, 08 May 2010 12:06:42 +0000

how much garbage is created in the process of making a stainless or ceramic mug? how much water is used? how much oil is burned to make it? how much fuel is burned to heat the water to wash them? how much fuel is burned to carry the extra weight from factory to stores? just because the “garbage” goes into the atmosphere as CO2 and particulates etc rather than an object that is buried in the ground doesn't mean it's not garbage. not to mention the garbage that is produced at the mines, wells and refineries that make the fuel to run the machines to get the steel out of the ground, to fire the ceramic ovens. THAT IS THE POINT! “efficient” isn't the word you like then. i'm still trying to get valid, scientific information – not emotional 'green-speak' about the TRUE cost, material and energy cost, disposal cost, total environmental impact about one thing: the container that holds the coffee i drink everyday. i don't like Styrofoam as a container. people got all excited about styrofoam and banned it, thinking that paper cups are SO much better. ignoring the fact that paper cups have a plastic coating on the inside, can't be re-cycled, use trees, use huge amounts of water to process, and end up buried in the ground right next to the styrofoam.

By: thaikarl

thaikarl — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:06:42 +0000

By: Kara

Kara — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:07:06 +0000

Klean Kanteen also now makes an insulated mug that has a leak proof lid which means one less bottle to buy and no worries when I throw it in my purse. I even use mine for take-out soup. . . just thought I'd throw that in there. . .

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).