Playing its part in fighting the world’s gigantic coffee cup waste problem, UK-based Circular&Co. today unveiled its Circular Travel Mug made from recycled single-use paper cups and designed to last a decade. The company currently has a Kickstarter campaign where backers can pre-order the mug.
This isn’t the company’s first foray into sustainable consumer products. As Ashortwalk Ltd., it created what it claimed to be the world’s first reusable cup, the “rCUP,” made from single-use coffee cups. One rebrand later, and the company is furthering its mission of creating and selling more sustainable products for consumers’ on-the-go coffee habits.
According to the Circular&Co. Kickstarter page, the newly unveiled travel mug is made from paper cups collected from coffee shops and grocery stores. The mug is fully insulated, dishwasher-safe, and, according to the company, built to last for 10 years (at which point you can recycle it). It’s also “100% leak proof” and features a handy spring-loaded lid that makes it easier to open.
One thing that is not clear from the Kickstarter page is whether the entire travel mug is made from recycled paper cups. Reviews of the aforementioned rCUP on Amazon UK suggest standard plastics are used in the lid and main body. We’ve reached out to Circular&Co. to get the details the exact materials used for the new travel mug.
It’s a weird time right now for reusable coffee mugs, with Starbucks and other major retailers “pausing” the use of reusable cups because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the disposable coffee cup culture means millions of cups, straws, lids, and other drink paraphernalia go into landfills and oceans each year. Pandemic or no, building a more sustainable coffee culture, especially here in the U.S., can’t stay de-prioritized for long without significant environmental consequences.
Those interested in Circular&Co.’s cup can head over to the company’s Kickstarter page to pre-order. A 12-ounce mug is currently available for $13, and a $16-ounce version goes for $15. Mugs are estimated to ship in November of this year.
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