The UK gets through a whopping 2.5 billion single-use hot drink cups every year. This results in the felling of a MILLION trees every year, not to mention the 1.5 billion litres of water that go into making the cups each year.

Even cups promoted as compostable cannot be recycled conventionally. They have to be transported by lorry to on the of the UK’s fifty-three high-temperature industrial composting facilities, which increases their carbon footprint.

Luckily, there are loads of reusable hot drinks cups out there! What’s more, most coffee shops offer discounts if you bring along your own cup! I’m sharing my top five, to take all the eco-guilt out of your morning caffeine hit.

CircularCo Cup

CircularCo Cups are the world’s first cups made from other cups!

I actually received this in a subscription box! I loved the story and how they are made from used cups – I’d not seen anything like it before.

Here’s what they say:

The world’s first 100% leak-proof reusable coffee cup, made from single-use paper cups. Designed for 10 years use, the Circular Reusable Coffee Cup is 100% recyclable. It keeps your drink hot or cold for 60-90 minutes and has easy one-hand opening, perfect for life on the go with 360-degree drinking, allowing you to enjoy the full coffee aroma. BPA & melamine free, and dishwasher safe.

CircularCo

Here’s what I say:

I love the fact that it’s made from used cups, giving some of that astronomical number of single cups used every year a different life!

The 360 degree drinking spout still blows my mind! It’s super easy with no chance of spills.

There are loads of different colours but I’m so happy with my green! It goes perfectly with my hand-crocheted cup sleeve from this October’s subscription box.

Another great thing about Circular Co is if the lid goes missing, you can actually buy a replacement lid.

KeepCup

KeepCups are the world’s first barista-standard reusable cup. With a body made from durable, tempered glass to withstand high temperatures, and a band made from cork or silicone, the emphasis is on the right vessel for a hot drink.

These cups are made with baristas in mind, as they fit under coffee machine heads and the cup size replicates industry-standard single-use cup volumes for the right coffee-to-milk ratio, ease of cafe workflow and speed of service.

They say:

We are on a mission to ensure the world neither wants, needs or uses disposable cups. We have designed and manufactured the world’s first barista standard reusable cup. Designed for the coffee maker, our products elevate the taste and drinking pleasure of coffee on the go.

KeepCup

I say:

This was a freebie for signing up to my local milkman and I was really chuffed as I’d come across these cups before but never bought one myself. Now I’ll be honest, it was the price that put me off; £17 seemed a little steep, but now I’m using one I understand the premium price for the premium product.

It’s lovely to drink from with the lid on or off, it’s lightweight, easy to carry and fits comfortably in your hand and cup holders.

However, this is where my main issue lies. I have my coffee black, so 99% of the time it’s absolutely boiling hot. With a very thin sleeve to hold, it’s hard to get a grip until the temperature has dropped enough to make skin contact bearable and not cause third degree burns! That’s where my hand crocheted cup sleeve comes in very handy.

Built

This brand is based in the US, but this cup was given to me as a Christmas present so it needs to be included!

Built are inspired by the city of New York, the city that never sleeps. They go on to say:

We infuse it’s energy, passion, and creativity into the stylish and protective goods we create. We design our products to fit into your busy schedule, and to make your life easier while on the go. That’s why all of our designs are based on simplicity, and seamlessly combine both form and function.

Built

Unlike the KeepCup, my hands don’t burn due to its double-walled insulation. It genuinely does keep hot drinks hot for hours. They claim you can keep your drinks warm for six hours but I haven’t left a coffee this long to try out this claim!

I love the fact it has a large capacity of 590ml, so I can sip throughout the morning without a top up.

The only issue I’m finding is with the lid. It is made of a few parts that slide over one another to open and close, so it often holds water after being in the dishwasher.

I’ve since learned you can take the pieces apart to get a thorough clean but the lid would still be a disadvantage for the faff of cleaning it.

Neon Kactus

I won this as part of an Instagram giveaway and was chuffed to bits when it was delivered. Its stylish grey colour and silicone belt mimicking the texture of a crocheted sleeve makes this cup so aesthetically pleasing!

Neon Kactus say:

[We] are committed to reducing the use of none reusable products, plastic and all other unsustainable materials in order to protect our planet.

Neon Kactus

There are loads of different colours, shapes and sizes on their website citing that over 150,000 people have made the switch to a Neon Kactus reusable, saving over 9.1 billion disposables from landfill

As one of that number, I have to say I am in love with the design and really appreciate the thicker belt around the cup making holding a hot drink so much more comfortable. The non-slip sleeve also acts as a thermal barrier with the high-quality borosilicate glass.

It’s larger than the KeepCup I have, however there are a range of sizes from 8oz to 16oz, so there is a size that fits barista machines if that’s your style.

Stojo

Stojo create collapsible reusable cups, meaning they fit into even the smallest of bags or your pocket when not in use! It’s made of flexible silicone, which means it squishes down when empty to a compact disc.

They say:

Switching to reusables is a simple yet powerful way to reduce your environmental impact. At Stojo, we aim to protect our planet by disposing of disposable culture.

Stojo

I love the convenience and the transportability of this cup, but you have to be careful when it’s full – it can leak if you squeeze it! As the material is flexible, it isn’t as solid as the other cups, but it has a solid base and lid, meaning it isn’t awkward to drink from. You also have the option of a straw, which folds down in to the cup too, which is nice!

You’ve Switched Your Cup, Now Switch Your Teabags!

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