If you’re committed to cutting down on waste (and a few extra pounds from a coffee shop’s high-street prices), a reusable cup is a great choice. With options made from recyclable plastic, glass and bamboo fibre, they’re sturdy, sustainable and way more stylish than a throwaway cup emblazoned with a coffee shop logo. And, if you pick a good one, it’ll also keep your drink at the ideal temperature for a long time.
The best reusable cups are usually designed to be as on-the-go friendly as possible, with the most effective ones having a vacuum-sealed lid and a sleeve that locks in heat. They also tend to have a handle that fits comfortably in the hand and are often spill-proof, too, so there’s less risk of your drink getting all over your bag when you put it down on a desk or in your car.
Designed by former cafe owners, this Australian brand brings together sustainability and style. Its fully recyclable lightweight cups come in five different sizes – from XS for espressos and macchiatos to large (454ml) for lattes and lungos – and are available in on-trend colours like fennel, hibiscus and sumac. You can even buy separate colour components for the cups, bands, lids and plugs so you can mix and match to suit your mood or outfit!
This stainless steel mug has a double-walled construction that keeps drinks at the right temperature for hours. It’s insulated with food-grade premium silicone and is BPA free, which makes it a healthier alternative to many other plastic-based travel mugs. It’s a good size – big enough to hold most takeaway coffees, yet small enough to fit in your car cup holders. Its sleek matte black finish and ergonomic design make it a smart addition to any commute.
For a really green option, opt for this collapsible reusable cup from Grind, which is made from the same material used in its London-based shops’ large takeaway cups. It folds flat so takes up very little space in a backpack or bag, and its thick grippy coating prevents your fingers from burning when you sip your hot beverage.
This eco-friendly cup is a little more expensive than some other options, but the money you’ll save on buying and disposing of disposable cups will probably pay for it in no time. It’s made from discarded coffee grounds and other recycled materials, and the outer layer is finished with an earthy grey shade that’s suitable for vegans.
A byproduct of the rice manufacturing process, this reusable cup isn’t just helping to reduce waste from the coffee industry. By purchasing the husks before they’re burnt, bioGo helps to support rice farms, too, and 10% of their profits go towards beach clean-ups. It’s a good-sized cup that holds most of the popular high street coffee shop drink sizes and is easy to clean and durable. It’s also BPA and phthalate free. best reusable coffee cup