Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Disposable Cups - By: Mark Yokoyama

These days, you hear it everywhere: “going green.” What seemed to start as a trend has grown into a social movement which asks us to behave more responsibly and reduce our impact on the environment. Today, an increasing number of companies are incorporating “green” practices into their business models to benefit the environment. Even without being an eco-fanatic or a multi-million dollar corporation with money to spend, there are simple ways you can better the environment in a cost-effective manner.

If turning your office “green” feels like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. The key is to start small and gradually work up to more ecologically responsible practices. A good way to ease into eco-friendly habits is to rid your office of disposable cups. By replacing disposable cups with reusable drinkware, you’re not only helping the environment by producing less waste, but you’re also helping your business by eliminating the need to buy new cups every few weeks. Much reusable drinkware is made from recycled or biodegradable materials, so these products in themselves are helpful to the environment. Here are some alternatives to disposable cups to consider for your business.

Stadium Cups: For companies just transitioning to green practices, stadium cups are a good option because they are most similar to disposable cups in style and construction, without the waste. They come in a variety of sizes from twelve to thirty-two ounces, so you can satiate any level of thirst. The large imprint area allows you to choose a custom message to remind your employees of your company’s new “green” attitude as the cup sits on their desk. Although they are made from plastic, many are comprised of recycled or biodegradable materials, which lessen the plastic’s negative impact on the environment.

Mugs: While mugs are traditionally thought of as drinkware for hot beverages, they’re also better than disposable cups at keeping beverages cold. This versatility makes them a really cost-effective way to go green.

Ceramic Mugs
Ceramic mugs are perfect for use in the office because they provide a way to drink coffee in the morning, but can be easily rinsed out to fill with water or juice for the rest of the day. Large enough mugs can even be used as soup bowls at lunch time, eliminating the need for disposable bowls.

Travel Mugs
Travel mugs are another great option. Like ceramic mugs, they can be filled with hot or cold liquid, but the lids enable your employees to bring the mugs wherever they go. Everyone loves travel mugs, so it’s a way to get your employees to take a part of your business home with them—and a constant reminder that they should reuse instead of waste.

Water Bottles: Another great portable beverage option is water bottles. Just like travel mugs, water bottles are popular because they allow for drinking on the go. Water bottles come in a variety of eco-friendly varieties and are incredibly affordable.

Metal Bottles
Metal bottles are becoming increasingly popular because they do not contain BPA. These types of water bottles are most commonly made of aluminum and stainless steel and are great at keeping water cool while saving the planet. Many of these bottles have promotional carabineers attached to the lid, which can link onto any bag strap to prevent spillage.

Plastic Sports Bottles
If metal is not your thing, it’s still possible to get plastic sports bottles in BPA-free plastic. Plastic bottles are dishwasher-safe, so they tend to be easier to clean than metal bottles. They usually also have wider openings, which makes it easy to put ice in to keep your water cold. Just like travel mugs, imprinting these bottles with an eco-friendly message serves as a constant reminder to your employees that they should consider the environment wherever they are-- both in and out of the office.

Eliminating disposable drinkware in your office may seem like a small task, but it’s an important first step in being more environmentally conscious. Reusing mugs, water bottles or stadium cups instead of creating more waste with disposable cups makes a huge impact on the environment—for the better.

About the Author

Mark Yokoyama is Director of Marketing for ePromos Promotional Products, Inc., one of the largest promotional product and corporate gift distributors in the US. This article is copyright protected.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Mark-Yokoyama/54503

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