I Am Not a Paper Cup, but Still Happy to Serve You

BY BERYL SHERESHEWSKY

As JK Rowling taught us, things are not always what they appear to be. A normal boy might be a wizard, a piece of candy might be able to come to life or, in the muggle world, an everyday-looking object could be something sustainable and in its own right, magical.

In a world of get-it-now, use-it-today, trash-it-later, disposable, clutter-causing, on-the-go objects, it’s no surprise we have scientists figuring out ways to make use of ever-rising landfills. Our single-use social policies are on the way out as sustainability and long-term-use fill the crossword of our everyday lives.

The iconic “I am Not a Plastic Bag” designed by Anya Hindmarch has a new friend to boot.

The latest creation from Decor Craft Inc. (DCI), “I am Not a Paper Cup” gives coffee drinkers everywhere the means to cash-in on the green craze without forsaking their iconic to-go mugs.

Made of 3.5 x 6-inch double-walled porcelain, the heat inside the mug stays there. Complete with a silicon lid. 

I put the mug to the test on the pot-holed embarrassment that I call my street. Bumping along, I was happy to find that I didn’t need to clean up anything. The lid stayed put and my drink was there to greet me, steaming and full, when I pulled into my parking spot.

As for the New Yorker that silently resides in all of us, Graham Hill’s, “We are Happy to Serve You” mug underwent some recent surgery. Now available in ceramic, the mug has gone from an on-the-street treat to an at-home companion.

In a land of constant urgency, on-the-go items take the cake. But by adding a dash of sustainability and taking out a pinch of disposable, we might all find a way to slow down, smell the fair trade roses and actually enjoy the very brew that we ran to store to get.

Having traveled around the world, Beryl Shereshewsky, a recent University of Colorado, Boulder graduate, realized that in life, she wanted to accomplish three things. One, travel more, two, write about what she saw and three, save the world. With the recent advances in the green movement, she realized that she could be a superhero writer and write about saving the world. Combing her powers, she now writes for various eco and travel sites across the web, changing the world one article at a time. Feel like chatting?  E-mail her b.shereshewsky@yahoo.com.

Comments

[Pedro]

As an "authentic marketer" it's great to see all of these posts on green packaging, one of the main forms of waste in our consumer culture. And I also remember the first time I used my own yogurt top as a spoon - about 20 years ago! My point: consumers have some pretty savvy ideas but haven't always had a good forum for communicating those ideas the companies or that can use them.

I'll be attending http://www.sustainablebrandsinternational.com/ next month in Miami to learn from some of the big brands who are doing it best. They offer discounts if you call or sign up several people.
For the other green marketers out there, please join me. The more big brands embrace sustainability, the closer we'll get to living in a better, healthier world.

[swag]

What kind of conflicted messages are we wallowing in here? Manufacturing new, less disposable cups to emulate -- and hence encourage the continued public use of -- disposable ones?

And since when has sustainability equated with buying more stuff? Where's reuse being properly encouraged here instead of driving more consumerism of new things when perfectly suitable cups are everywhere already?

Very disappointing.