Traditional coffee cups are typically made of glazed ceramic, and have a single handle, allowing for portability while still hot. Ceramic construction allows a user to drink their beverage while hot, providing insulation to the beverage, and quickly washed with cold water without fear of breakage, compared to typical vessels made of glass. Coffee cups can also be made of paper. A century ago when they were invented, paper cups were a simple cost-effective innovation that reduced disease transmission.
Disposable paper coffee cups have now become the most sought after means of advertisement. Corporations imprint their logos or ad messages on these as a promotional means of their services and products. Disposable plastic drinking cups are useful on such occasions, because you can conveniently use and discard them after use. Plastic coffee cups are now widely used in restaurants. Disposable cups are great for schools, and can also be used at outdoor events like golf tournaments.
Disposable coffee cups have greater value in restaurants and other food service stations, due to their economical value. You can make bulk purchases without making them cut into your profits too much. However, disposable coffee cups are responsible for the deaths of over 6.5 million trees each year. In 2006 it’s estimated that 16 billion found their way into the trash creating over 250 million pounds of solid waste.
Reusable coffee cups reduce the impact disposable cups have on our environment. Waste, natural resources, and damage done by green house gases are all decreased by reusable cups after only 24 uses. Reusable cloth grocery bags are a similar good choice too if one makes sure to wash them once in a while to kill bacteria.