What do most coffee drinkers think about when drinking a cup of coffee? For a group of Newcastle University students, it’s the environmental impact of their coffee cup.

As an alternative to the single use cups the students suggested encouraging the use of reusable thermal coffee mugs on Newcastle University Campus.

Available in a variety of eye catching colours, each costs just £1.50 and as an extra bonus for using your travel mug at outlets on campus you get 10p off your tea or coffee.

In April last year, a group of MSc Clean Technology students conducted a waste audit across the campus in collaboration with Newcastle University’s Sustainability Team. They investigated the composition of waste being disposed of on campus and found a repeat offender was the disposable coffee cup, which were present in large quantities in the waste destined for landfill.

Disposable coffee cups not only damage the environment through the requirement of raw materials for manufacture (paper, plastic and energy). But, also once used are generally disposed of as general waste that goes straight into a landfill, despite the fact that they could be recycled.

A study conducted by Sustainability Engineer Pablo Paster shows that a stainless steel mug will ‘break even’ in environmental impact with a paper cup after 24 uses. Considering that most stainless steel mugs are designed to last for 3000 uses, the positive effect of reusables is clear.

Tony Stevenson PVC for Planning and Resources at Newcastle University said: “Never wanting to pass up the opportunity to reduce waste on campus, the Sustainability Team in partnership with Accommodation and Hospitality services are now offering thermally insulated travel mugs.”

The mugs are available in limited numbers from The Bistro, The Courtyard, The Forum, Bites at the Dental School, Campus Coffee and the cafe in the Robinson Library.

Available in a variety of eye catching colours, each costs just £1.50 and as an extra bonus for using your travel mug at outlets on campus you get 10p off your tea or coffee. This saves you money, reduces waste production and ensures you always have your favourite mug and a warm drink with you at all times.