Removing hot drinks cups and their lids from circulation is a step towards reducing huge amounts of waste. Many of the single-use paper cups you think might be recyclable have plastic lining that makes them harder and sometimes impossible to recycle. With the UK getting through on average, 7 million disposable coffee cups each day, this is something we can all be more aware of. 

Bring Your Own coffee cup

Investing in and taking your own coffee cup to your local coffee shop is a great way to reduce single-use wastage, not only is this a simple switch that can make your coffee shop trip more sustainable, we know that many coffee shops are now offering a discount if you bring your own cup, making this a money saver too. 

Some of our favourite reusable brands keep your hot drink hot and your cold drink cold, timings vary but we were impressed by these: 

R Cup

If we want to go full circle recycling we use our r-cup, made from old paper coffee cups, it keeps everything warm and with a push close seal it is a great one for single hand use. It also comes in multiple colours and sizes so can match your style and your needs. 340ml £12

Keep Cup

One of the big names in the world of reusable coffee cups is the Keep Cup. Made from components that can easily be recycled when it comes to the end of its life. Available with a glass base or plastic depending on your preferences. The colour and style choices on this brand are massive so you can pretty much match your cup to your mood. 340ml £11

Bru

If you want to keep the outside cool and the inside hot Bru could be for you. This is for the stylish coffee drinker, an elegant simple all metal design available in nine colours. While it isn’t leak proof it is spill proof and will keep a hot drink piping hot for up to three hours. The all metal design can be recycled in some household bins. 340ml £17.99

Huski

We love a compostable option and decided to give Huski a go, made from rice husks which can be hazardous to the ecosystem if not disposed of properly. Huski is a family run company that really aims to be fully sustainable. We liked the gentle pastel colour range available and it kept our drinks toasty for over an hour. 400ml £10.99

There are so many brands available, you are sure to find something that suits you and your lifestyle. We have purposefully chosen options that can be easily recycled at the end of their life,  we also think the ones we’ve tested were durable, stylish and effective at keeping our coffee hot. It really is about personal preference and what you want from your coffee cup, this is one simple switch that takes no effort and can save you money in the long run. 

If you can’t avoid a single-use cup

If you are out and about and have forgotten your favourite coffee cup or haven’t got round to buying one yet then remember there are some eco friendly single use options available too. Check with your local coffee shop to see if they are using manufacturers like vegware, a fully recyclable and compostable brand. 

Written by Emily F from the Buy Smarter Buy Greener team