Using Less Plastic with Reusable Cups

Is there anything better than a nice plastic cup? Chances are, you've never once thought that. Your favorite cups are probably reusable ones that are ceramic, stainless steel, or glass. Despite that, millions of people use billions of plastic cups every year. A reasonable solution to the world's landfill and pollution problems are smack dab in front of our faces, but we persist and still keep using disposable plastic cups.

There are five core reasons why you should be using reusable cups instead of disposable plastic cups.

1. Plastic cups never biodegrade. They might break down, but they never truly biodegrade. Instead, they wind up in the environment, breaking down into tiny, toxic plastic bits.

2. Drinks taste better in a reusable cup. No one ever called them reusable cups before disposable cups existed, but it's true, the plastic affects the taste of water and other drinks.

3. There simply aren't enough resources available for everyone on the planet to get a new cup every time they're thirsty, then throw it away. The idea seems kind of silly when you think about it, doesn't it?

4. The production of plastic has a highly destructive process to the environment. Not only is the plastic itself bad, but the emissions and by product produced are also negative consequences of the process. Even recycling plastic takes more energy and resources that could otherwise be saved by simply using a reusable cup.

5. Plastic contains trace elements of potentially harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. These are especially harmful to children, but have also been linked to cancer. In Europe, more aggressive measures to avoid BPA and phthalates are being taken than in the USA as the result of many scientific studies.

Besides these five core elements, you'll also see a benefit of cost savings if you bring a reusable cup to the store. It might also encourage others to go reusable with their cups just by watching you use yours.

You can read more about the eco friendly reusable Eco Cup on this page, or shop for reusable stainless steel water bottles, kids stainless steel bottles, and BPA free drinkware at TheGreenerEarth.com today!

Reusable Eco Friendly Sigg Water Bottles

Sigg Bottles are BPA Free, Eco Friendly, and Reusable! Plus, the Dangers of Using Other Plastics...

Are you thinking of switching over to a reusable water bottle? There are a lot of benefits for both you and the environment. For one, traditional disposable water bottles contain chemicals. The plastic can leach into your water, entering your body. Specifically, #7 plastics, and even Nalgene brand water bottles have been tested to find trace amounts of BPA (Bisphenol A ). This chemical isn't just a strange name, it can potentially, even in trace amounts, reduce testosterone levels, cause miscarriage, and has even been linked to breast cancer.

Even clear #1 plastics have been found to contain hazardous chemicals, leaching DEHP. Other plastics, like #6, have been found to contain hormone disrupting chemicals. The answer seems clear: don't use plastic! Not just for the environment, but for your own personal health.

SIGG has one of the best known and highest quality water bottles available today. Each bottle comes with a durable interior lining, and contains no BPA free or leaching. They also come with a lifetime warranty, and can be recycled at their end of their long use. These bottles are made of aluminum, with a durable EcoCare (BPA free) inner lining. They're also really lightweight.

One cool thing about SIGG is their line of customized reusable water bottles. The ones below spread an eco friendly message, while you help reduce plastic use (and keep yourself healthy!).

Top 10 Reasons to Use Not a Paper Cup vs. a Disposable Paper or Styrofoam Coffee Cup

One of my favorite new products which I came across this summer is the Not a Paper Cup. The more I use it, the more I love it! Not only is this unique invention eco-friendly, but it also brings along with it a trendy fashion statement.

As I think about using the cup, I think about all of my friends and family who stop at the local coffee shop along their way to work and order a coffee to go. This coffee is normally in a paper or styrofoam cup, both of these disposable. Or during those hot summer days a plastic cup for iced coffee, which again will just be thrown away at the office after being used. As the day goes on, perhaps they get a bottle of water or soda, or maybe they will use a plastic cup at the water fountain to quench their thirst. Then off to lunch, where another beverage is likely to be consumed from some type of cup which will likely be thrown away after the meal. Then of course, an afternoon tea, coffee, water or other beverage, which again will have another disposable cup to be thrown away after use. Some businesses have introduced recycling of plastic and styrofoam, and if not you may want to look into different options to bring to your company.

After thinking about all of these I put together my top 10 list on why to use a paper cup. Please feel free to add your reasons in the comments box!

10. No Leaks! How many times have you picked up a hot beverage on your way to somewhere important-work, family function, shopping, or during a day where you are getting a little "me" time, and low and behold the lid on the beverage is cracked and spills all over you. The silicon lid fits tightly on the cup so no more cracked lids!

9. Double Insulated Wall! This means your beverage will stay hot (or cold-see #8) for hours!

8. Perfect for Cold Beverages too! Not only am I able to use this cup to bring my hot latte to work, but then after a quick wash it is ready to be filled up at the water fountain - no more plastic cups for cold drinks during the day!

7. Your Hands Stay Safe! We all have had the one cup of hot beverage - coffee, tea, etc. which has come in the disposable paper cup. You go to pick up your delicious beverage only to burn the skin right off your palms because the heat from the drink went right through the paper - ouch!! Not a Paper Cup will protect your hands from the high heat of your beverage! If its a cold drink, no need to worry about numbing your hands ;)

6. Ceramic Mug! No need to worry about BPA or anything else leaching out of a traditional plastic, paper or styrofoam cup.

5. Silicon Lid! The lid never gets hot, so no more burning your lips on the plastic topper of your cup. And, no need to worry about anything leaching out of the silicon lid, unlike what could leach out of a traditional plastic lid.

4. Trendy! Make a statement. Not only are you showing that you care about the environment but you will have a cup which people will be very curious about and you will likely get questions. Share your eco knowledge and reduce general use of disposal cups!

3. It's White! This is a white which is fashionable to sport at any time of year. No more following the Memorial Day to Labor Day rules with this cup.

2. Saving Money $$$ ! And who doesn't like to save money? Most coffee shops will offer a discount to customers bringing in their own cup. This reduces the expense to the store because they don't have to incur the cost of the disposable cup with your order. Be sure to ask at the register!

1. It's Reusable!!! Need I say more?

The Reusable Not a Paper Cup can be purchased from TheGreenerEarth.