Your experience using reusable coffee mugs

[user1471523870]

I am becoming more and more aware of the dangers of plastic and of how much waste we produce. And have decided to give a go to use reusable coffee mugs for Starbucks/Costa coffee.
I get a coffee from them about once, perhaps twice a week, on my way to work and, even if I enjoy the pre-order option, I am happy not to pre-order if that means I can handle them my reusable cup:).
But before buying one, I would like to hear experiences on how this is well received by the coffee shop staff.
For example, in Starbucks they write your name on the cup. Would they do the same on my reusable one? And do they know how much coffee to put in there or do you tell them?
Thank you!

They have little stickers they write on. You get I think 25p off in both Starbucks and Costa for using a reusable cup. Not sure about Pret.
They don't have an issue with it at all so don't worry about that.
It's great what you're doing, there are plenty of other things to try if you want to go further - check out online blogs and your local council about recycling. Happy to post links if you would like.

I have done this for ages and it is never a problem. Also you get two stamps in Caffè Nero. My favourite cup is the £3 from Waitrose. It is a good size and dishwasher safe. Much much better than more expensive ones I have had.

That's wonderful, thanks! I now only have to choose my new coffee mug!
I would like something not plastic if possible. I have seen something made of bamboo, or perhaps I will go for a glass one.
Yes, I realized later in life what I have done wrong all these years. I am early 40s and still on time to make a difference I believe.
So far I switched to reusable sanpro, I recycle, I go for veg/fruit boxes to avoid plastic bags, I use my own bags in shops/supermarkets, bring lunch home from me (in a lunch tin, to avoid wrapped sandwiches etc) and I grow my own (got a plot in an allotment few years ago). I also switched from coffee pods to filtered coffee and from bottled water to a glass carafe with charcoal filter. I get my milk delivered in glass bottles that I return when used.
There are all small-ish changes and I am constantly looking for way of fitting more in our lifestyle.

That's so great OP, I feel the same and am the same age and am doing the same as you - off to investigate the option of milk delivered in glass bottles in our area now, not one I had thought of before!

The main issue with these things isn't so much the material that the product is made from but rather the supply chain. You are better off buying a plastic mug that is made reasonably close to where you live than a bamboo mug that is made from bamboo that is sourced from far away in a Forrest cleared area then shipped to the producer then shipped to Britain from the other side of the world. I'm not sure whether you can get supply chain info from Starbucks etc but the companies that tout themselves as being ecofriendly will usually be willing to tell

I have a plastic KeepCup and I love it in many ways, but it really retains the coffee smell so you couldn't suddenly decide to get a cup of tea in it instead. That might not be relevant to you, but if it is I'd go for another material (all this is aside from the supply chain issues RestingGrinchFace raises, which I confess I didn't look into).

I take a flask. and it's never a problem.

*Sorry, just to clarify I didn't mean that bamboo is always worse or that plastic is always better, more just that it can be much more complicated than you first imagine if you are trying to be environmentally friendly and supply chains are a big part of production that gets easily overlooked. If you do find something that you think is outstanding please update us-currently looking for a cup/thermos just for me after my husband destroyed/lost every single reusable but portable tea reseptical in the house

OhHolyJesus, i use Milkandmore but I have not idea what areas they cover.
RestingGrinchFace, that's a very good point. I am ashamed to say I never thought about the supply chain. Another level of complexity to my search for the perfect mug! Thanks for the heads up.
PurplePillowCase... a flask! I have a flask! Perhaps you have solved my problem.... no waste TICK, recycle TICK, no plastic TICK, coming from not far away (somewhere in my kitchen) TICK TICK TICK

I have a keep cup too (plastic). Apparently 15 uses (which I've definitely done by now) is enough to break even in terms of energy to produce vs a disposable cup. It's not perfect but the advantage is it's so light I can carry it with me all the time.
What's frustrating me is the fact that so many people seem oblivious to the waste issue (eg massive packs of fruit shoots at children's parties). And straws!!! Don't get me started on straws!!

I have an ecoffee cup, it's made from bamboo with a silicon lid. They're really good, nice and light to carry around and you can buy the replacement lids etc separately.
You can also compost the cup once it reaches the end of it's life and they have loads of different colours and patterns. Mine looks like its walked out of the 70s. I love it.

I've never had a problem using it in shops - most give you a small discount. Though I don't think you can use it in a Costa drive through which is a shame - I've not tried though.

Wonderful feedback, thank you!
I eventually found out I had an old insulated tumbler at home. It is honestly a good one as once you remove the plastic lid, everything else is stainless steel. I brought it with me to Starbucks yesterday and they just put my latte in there, no questions asked:). I was slightly concerned they would fill it to the top (the lid screws in, so it needs some space - it's not like their lids, that go on top allowing space for the foam). But the barista clearly knew and filled it only till about the correct level.
I am so pleased I can now use my own mug and also I recycled one I already had. Zero waste!

I'm thinking of buying a glass keepcup after Christmas; does anyone have one?

I used to have a plastic cup (not keepcup) but gave it away as there was always a plastic-y taste to drinks.

I have an ecoffee bamboo cup too - it's a year old and still going strong. I'm intrigued to know when it will need composting - it's very sturdy and is regularly in the dishwasher - and also how it will compost, given that it currently copes with hot liquids several days a week. Has anyone actually composted theirs?

I have a glass keep cup, looks fabulous but burns my fingers - the silicon sleeve isn't quite thick enough. It also doesn't quite fit into the car cupholders.

Plastic keep cup is good, doesn't transfer quite as much heat as the glass, but also cools down quite quickly.

Hate to say it, but the best travel mug, which I keep coming back to, is the tall thin Starbucks metal. Seems to be the right shape to keep the coffee at a good temperature, fits in any cup holder, and leak-safe enough to put in a tote bag. There's a downside that it's quite hard to hand wash without a bottle brush, but I only really drink black coffee so I'm not so fussed about the odd stain on the bottom.

I would love to do this but am v sensitive to the plastic ones and have been put off the ones I have tried. I will look at some of the suggestions.

I use a contigo travel mug. It's a metal body with a plastic lid. Keeps drinks hot for ages, doesn't leak, is very easy to drink from and has lasted me really well. I bought it in 2013 or 2014 and it's still going strong!

I bought my DP a Star wars keepcup for Christmas as I kept nagging him about buying coffee every week in disposable cups. He loved the comments he got from the Costa staff although it was quite annoying it said on the website it would fit a medium drink and didnt

One upon a time offices had kettles. I know they got replaced by those water spitting tap things, but did they go out too? Can't you get tea or coffee at work now in a mug you can wash and reuse?

specialsubject maybe the coffee is for the commute?

I did the London commute, 1.5 hours each way. You don't need coffee for that time. Take a reusable water bottle if you must.

There's no ethical way to buy takeaways.

Oh and don't whine about the state of the UK if you buy from the tax evaders.

Anyone thought about the fact that you are putting more detergents into the watercourses by reusing your mugs. That is also not good for the environment.

Less bad than rubbish from tax avoiders ( sorry, not evaders). Anyway, only serious fussy bugs use detergent each time on the mug!

Anyone thought about the fact that you are putting more detergents into the watercourses by reusing your mugs. That is also not good for the environment.
just bung it in washing up bowl/dishwasher with everything else