COFFEE CUPS
We use around seven million disposable coffee cups every day in Britain, so switching to a reusable cup can make a real difference.
HIGH TECH Ember travel mug, £159.95 (ember.com) The price might make you choke on your latte but this is an extremely clever cup. You select the temperature you want your drink, either by twisting the base or via a smartphone app, which will message you when your coffee is ready to drink. The mug comes with a charging coaster and the lid has a button that seals it if you’re carrying it around.
On the downside, it’s a little heavy. And although the lid can go in the dishwasher, the main part needs to be hand-washed – and you need to recharge it.
Verdict: Ingenious but expensive 8/10 COLLAPSIBLE Stojo collapsible pocket cup, £9.99 (Menkind) Are you never sure what to do with your cup once you’ve finished your drink? Is it too big to carry around in your pocket or handbag – or are you worried about it leaking? If that’s always put you off reusable cups, this could be the solution. When not in use, you can collapse the cup into itself, meaning it’s easy to store. It’s also microwave-safe, which is useful if your drink is cold by the time you get to work. And the whole thing can go in the dishwasher at the end of the day. Verdict: Clever design means you can carry it with you all the time 8/10 BAMBOO Ecoffee cup, £8.99 (oxfam.org.uk) RECYCLED rCUP, £12 (rCUP.co.uk) Made of recycled old cups, this gives you a double helping of eco-friendly points, so you can feel extra virtuous when you use it. It’s insulated to keep drinks warmer and you just push the lid in to seal it, making it completely watertight. It’s a sizeable, sleek cup and it goes in the dishwasher. The company also promises free replacement seals if you need them. Verdict: Nice cup, impeccable credentials 9/10 CHARITY #PassOnPlastic coffee cup, £12.50 (skyoceanrescue.com) Sky Ocean Rescue and Project 0 have teamed up with big names like Sienna Miller, Bob Geldof and Rita Ora to design a range of reusable cups and bottles. I tried the gorgeous Bubble Trouble cup, which was designed by supermodel Cara Delevingne.
It’s bright, stylish and is insulated, which will keep your drink warm. On the down side, the lid is difficult to take off.
Verdict: Lovely to look at but loses a mark for that tricky lid 8/10