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Discussion » Questions » Environment » First paper straws ... now this.

First paper straws ... now this.

So, NPR had a story the other day about replacing "disposable" cups.

There is a growing movement to replace all those "disposable" cups from coffee stands and fast food restaurants and stadiums.
Just think, one stadium event with 25,000 people ... averaging 2 drinks/person ... that's 50,000 cups going to the landfill.

Instead, what if each person had to pay a $3 deposit for a cup that they would reuse?
Take the cup home at the end of the event, and you paid $3 for a souvenir.
Turn it in at the event, and you get your $3 back.

There's even a coffee chain that is embedding cups with a chip you can link to your smart phone.
When you place an order with their app, they fill a cup and then scan it when you pick up your order ... at which time you turn in your last cup for washing and reuse.
If you don't turn in a cup, you pay another deposit fee.

I imagine some places will give you the option of bringing your own beverage container.
Like bringing your own bad for shopping, rather than using a plastic or paper bag from the store.

Of course, if the movement takes hold and does away with all "disposable" cups ... Toby Keith's song Red Solo Cup won't make sense to future generations.  lol

Posted - July 23, 2019

Responses


  • 14795
    You are a genius,but I'm afraid you are talking to people that care very little when it's them that have to take the initiative to do something so sensible......
    People are to up their own arses to bother with taking cups home and washing them...
    I/we at home take an insulated flask/container if we wish to drink when we go out...it's often hard to get retailers to rinse and refil them with coffee,tea or water....
    It will never happen until people are forced to do something so important to every person on the planet....
    Ban all plastic single use things...make those that make these products recycle and clean the streets of their throw away crap....
    Please apply for the job of your next president... :) 
      July 23, 2019 2:57 PM MDT
    2

  • 6023
    No, no, no ... it's like the old glass bottle milk containers.
    You didn't have to wash them ... the milkman picked them up the next day, returned them to the dairy, and the dairy washed them before refilling.

    So the shops, stadium, etc is responsible for washing them.
    You get a cup from Starbucks (or whatever coffee stand you prefer) ... and bring it back the next day.  Or pay a deposit on a 2nd cup.

      July 23, 2019 3:08 PM MDT
    1

  • Just what we need, more RFD chips that link everyday goods to our smartphone.

      July 23, 2019 5:15 PM MDT
    1

  • 17596
    What I read was just about plastic cups.  Paper cups are OK.  Styrofoam really is evil.
      July 24, 2019 1:26 AM MDT
    0

  • 6023
    The problem with most paper cups in use by restaurants now, is the wax lining.
    It makes them "contaminated", as far as recycling.
      July 24, 2019 7:11 AM MDT
    0

  • 17596
    As long as they degrade.  We can grow more trees.  We only have so much land to fill with stuff that will never degrade, or will take a long long long time.  
      July 24, 2019 9:09 PM MDT
    0