At Responsible Cafes, we’re all about making a positive impact, one cup at a time. This blog explores sustainability ideas you could consider when you’re choosing coffee mugs and cups.
Many of us are already using our own reusable coffee mug or cup, which reduces landfill waste caused by disposable cups (well done!). A 2024 YouGov survey including a national sample of 1,046 Australians found that 51% of Australians surveyed said they actively carry a reusable cup or bottle to reduce plastic waste in their daily routine.
But does it matter what type of reusable coffee mug or cup you drink your hot beverage from?
Yes, because each reusable mug or cup has a different environmental impact from production, transportation, packaging through to its disposal when it’s no longer suitable for drinking from.
Keep reading for some ideas about how to make eco-friendly choices about coffee mugs or cups for yourself or your customers.
Use the coffee mugs you already own
Using your existing coffee mugs, instead of buying new ones, is better for the planet and your wallets.
The time is right to use what we already have instead of buying more products. Many people are shopping less in response to cost-of-living expenses. In a 2024 survey including a national sample of 1,002 by Monash Business School’s ACRS, 40% of surveyed Australians said they were reducing the amount of new products they buy. Concern for the environment is also likely to be influencing shopping behaviours, with IBISWorld forecasting that more than four in five Australians are concerned about environmental issues in 2025.
Instead of buying new coffee mugs to follow trends or to have a complete set, we can embrace having unique collections of coffee mugs, each with a different story to tell.
You also don’t need a fancy mug or cup for takeaway coffees. You can just grab a mug from your kitchen at work or home, and off you go.
DONATE OR RECYCLE OLD COFFEE MUGS AND CUPS
Even when you’re parting with a coffee mug you no longer need or is no longer suitable for drinking, you can still make a more sustainable choice.
Many of us want to do the right thing. In the ACRS research, the vast majority (96%) of surveyed Australians engage in sustainability practices, with 65% of respondents saying they had recycled product waste in the three months prior to the survey.
Coffee mugs or cups, which are no longer needed, can potentially be donated to charities if they’re in good working condition. Just check ahead with the charity first to ensure they’re accepting these donations.
Whereas coffee mugs and cups, which are no longer suitable for drinking, may be recyclable. You will need to check with your local recycling services. For example, RecycleSmart recycles kitchenware such as coffee mugs and cups, and Terracycle recycles non-broken ceramic and stainless steel dishware, which are then used in secondary metal manufacturing, or added to road surfaces or used to reinforce building materials like bricks and paving stones.
BUY SECONDHAND COFFEE MUGS
Choosing secondhand coffee mugs to replace your old ones can be more sustainable as it reduces the resources needed to create new ones.
The cost-of-living pressures and environmental concerns have also led to an increasing popularity in secondhand products. According to IBISWorld, Australians are becoming more likely to buy secondhand clothing and items compared to new ones.
We can buy great quality secondhand mugs and cups from charities, and even from secondhand marketplaces, to add to our unique collections.
CHOOSE NEW MUGS AND CUPS WHICH ARE SUSTAINABLE
Buying sustainable products is important to many of us. In the 2024 survey by ACRS, 30% of Australians surveyed said they frequently look for sustainable products when making a retail purchase. When you’re buying new coffee mugs and cups, you could consider what they’re made from, how durable they are, and where they are made.
Materials
Coffee mugs and cups are mainly made from aluminium, glass, ceramics, upcycled materials (like coffee husks) and bamboo. Each of these materials have their pros and cons, so you’ll need to work out what’s right for you. You can check out Responsible Cafes’ Better Cup Guide for more information about different types of reusable and disposable coffee cups. This guide was developed to help consumers and café owners make informed choices to reduce waste.
Durability
Look for coffee mugs and cups which are long lasting to take your coffee drinking well into the future. Durability is actually the most important factor for consumers when they’re buying new products according to ACRS research, with 88% of Australians surveyed saying it is important to them. In fact, in this research they found that 68% of surveyed Australians said they were willing to pay more for durable products.
Locally made
Where possible, choose locally made coffee mugs and cups to reduce transportation-related emissions. Soon, it’ll be easier to choose Australian-made products with recycled content, thanks to the Remade in Australia logo. According to a nationally representative Choice study in 2021, only two out of five surveyed Australians said they found it easy to make environmental choices when they buy new products. Unclear or confusing labelling was one of the main reasons cited for the difficulty so the new logo could help provide clarity.
CHOOSE MUGS OR CUPS SOLD IN RECYCLED PACKAGING
The packaging used is also something you can take into consideration when shopping for new coffee mugs and cups. In the ACRS research, it was found that 61% of Australians surveyed said products that are sold in recycled packaging is important to them when making a purchase decision. You can choose coffee cups and mugs which are sold in recycled packaging or packaging which is recyclable.
2025 has been called the Year of Reuse by Boomerang Alliance, to shift Australia towards a reusable future, which focuses on single-use plastics and their environmental impact. Reusing existing products, like coffee mugs and cups, is essential in a circular economy (check out the guide!). And it can be important to choose the right mug or cup in the first place to ensure it can be used for many cups of coffee in the future.
Thanks for reading! 😊 Together, let’s continue to make a positive difference to the environment through the coffee mug or cup we choose for our coffee.
Dani is a Freelance Writer and Researcher. She specialises in telling engaging stories using research and data. She has a strong interest in purpose-led organisations like Responsible Cafes, which deliver positive outcomes for the environment and the community.