Reducing waste and living more sustainably starts with one easy swap at a time. This month’s goal in the Year of monthly waste reduction goals challenge is getting rid of single use beverage containers. It’s an easy change that will make a big difference.
Originally published in February 2020. Updated December 2022.
We love our takeout coffee
Here in Canada, we love our takeout coffee. According to a 2015 study by Euromonitor International, Canadians ranked first out of 80 countries in takeout coffee consumption. There are a couple of other countries in the world who drink more coffee than us, but they make more of it at home.
What’s behind our fascination with coffee “to go”? Well, it’s partly because we live in a cold climate. People love that nice hot coffee to get them going in the morning, or to keep them warm while sitting in a cold arena watching the kids’ hockey game or practice. It’s also largely because of the influence of Tim Horton’s on our culture. There’s nothing more Canadian than Timmies. With one Tim Horton’s location for about every 9,000 Canadians, it’s no wonder it feels like they are everywhere!
Eliminate single-use beverage containers
The February goal in our waste reduction challenge is to eliminate single-use beverage containers. Takeout coffee cups and plastic water bottles are a great place to start!
Whether your java of choice is Timmies, McDonald’s, Starbucks or a local coffee shop, it’s an undeniable fact that takeout coffee generates a lot of waste–and very little of it is recycled. All of these companies let customers bring their own cups. Tim Horton’s even gives a $0.10 discount on their coffee for people who bring their own mug. My daughter, who used to work at McDonald’s, tells me they have a button on the cash register for this purpose but she’s only used it a handful of times in over a year–and one of those times was me!
I admit I’m not a coffee drinker–tea is my beverage of choice. On the rare occasion that I do get takeout, I use my own mug. I have a travel mug that I keep in my car so I always have it with me when I’m out and about. I always wonder why more people don’t bring their own cups, especially people who drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day. That ten-cent discount at Timmie’s will really add up over a year.
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Time to dust off the travel mug
So, challenge yourself this month. I’m sure most of you have a travel mug you’ve received as a gift or corporate giveaway over the years. If not, pick one up next time you’re out shopping or at the coffee shop. Keep it in your car, your purse or backpack and get into the habit of using it. And, while you’re at it, grab a refillable water bottle and use it when out and about instead of bottled water. One person making this simple change can save hundreds of disposable cups and bottles every year.
Do you use your own mug for your takeout coffee? Tell us below.
I agree with you, Michelle. Dunkin Donuts doesn’t advertise that they’ll accept my mug instead of their paper cups, but I’m going to try it. I can honestly say I’ve never seen one person bringing their cup for a refill there; how sad is that? At Starbucks it happens more often (but not a lot). This is shameful! Cher xo
Most of these companies don’t advertise it here either, Cher. Le me know how you make out. I have to give Timmies credit though – if you eat or drink in the restaurant, they use ceramic mugs and plates, and real cutlery. But it drives me nuts seeing their disposable cups everywhere. 🙁
I’ll let you know, Michelle. It’s excellent that Timmies used the ‘real deal,” but like you it drives me nuts too to see disposable cups everywhere. And, sadly, there are A LOT of them!