This may be a stupid idea, but to my knowledge metals is are some of the best materials when it comes to being easily recyclable.
Ignoring the cost and reusability, wouldn’t recyclable disposable cups made of metal be a better deal than the largely incinerated plastic cups?
- bstix ( @bstix@feddit.dk ) 6•27 days ago
IMO, we don’t need disposable cups of any kind at all. They could as well serve a can or bottle in drive-thrus.
Ye, but that would defeat the point of it being super convenient
- bstix ( @bstix@feddit.dk ) 2•27 days ago
Maybe its me, but I don’t find disposable cups convenient at all.
I already have bottles to refund, so the idea of getting drinks served in a piece of garbage for me to dispose of is just a nuisance. Also if I’m ordering for the whole family, I either need to have 4 vacant cup holders in my car or get another piece of disposable garbage to hold the disposable cups. I’d much rather have a standard PET bottle.
I’m with you on that one! Unfortunately that’s just not most people. The best thing would be is if they’d just give up options. Sell the cup as an optional thing or something.
- gazter ( @gazter@aussie.zone ) 2•26 days ago
I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying cups are more convenient than cans or bottles?
No, the convenience (for most people) I think is in that they are able to get a drink regardless of planning. As long as they’re in a car, they can get drive trough drinks. No need to have cups ready in the car.
- gazter ( @gazter@aussie.zone ) 1•26 days ago
Ah, I see. I think the original comment was saying that there’s no need for a cup- A can is much more convenient, and you don’t need to be carrying a cup already.
- ProdigalFrog ( @ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net ) English3•27 days ago
Looks like this company is doing just that: https://www.zhongruicup.com/
Not sure how the economics work out, I assume they are much more expensive.
This could be environmentally feasible if the factory ran exclusively on renewable energy, but if not, it would likely produce significantly more carbon emissions than paper cups.
- TonyTonyChopper ( @TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz ) 2•25 days ago
A few years ago there was this effort to abandon disposable containers entirely, so you were encouraged to carry a durable reusable container instead. Whatever happened to that?
I don’t think anyone who likes fast food liked reusable containers. Although my girlfriend always carries her water bottle everywhere.
- I_am_10_squirrels ( @I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org ) 2•25 days ago
There is some municipality that is taking this approach. All the restaurants use the same metal cups, and there are return bins around the area. Customers get a drink to go, and return the cup when they’re done. It’s washed and returned to the restaurant.
I’ll have to find a source for this when I’m on my PC, currently on mobile.
ETA: It’s Petaluma, CA. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/city-experiments-with-reusable-cups-at-starbucks-taco-bell-and-30-other-restaurants-with-return-bins-all-over-town/ and https://returnmycup.com/
Yoo, cool! I’ll have a look, thank you!