WEEK TWO [2]:

DAY 7 [WEEK 2]: 09.28.08

A few things to consider:

• Is your cup made of plastic, paper, stainless steel, ceramic, etc.? : So, this is where the term 'embodied energy' enters a four-part equation: 1. A consumer may want to consider how much manufacturing energy goes into the product from start to finish. 2. Then the consumer may want to incorporate the energy used in transporting the product to points of sale. 3. Consider the product's ELE (estimated life expectancy), i.e. is this going straight into the landfill or can it be washed and reused? 4. Next, if it can be reused, how much energy will be required in cleaning/maintenance, and how does that balance against the product's previously considered embodied energy?
• Also, consider the type of material the product is made of. Is it a renewable resource? Is it a toxic plastic? Are there health risks associated with the material? Does its molecular structure breakdown when a hot beverage is poured into it? If it's a reusable mug, consider it's durability and the replacements of parts if broken?

At this point, I can't answer which cup is better. I'm inclined to say a stainless mug is best, because of its longevity, durability and non-toxic material. It lasts longer than disposable plastic and paper. It's more durable that ceramic and glass. AND It does not contain the toxic plastics found in many plastic and PE-lined paper cups/mugs.

DAY 5 [WEEK 2]: 09.26.08

Starbucks will give you $.10 off your coffee purchase if you bring in your own mug! Small savings add up! :-) (Check it out -- if you're not already boycotting the corporate coffee GIANT!)

DAY 2 [WEEK 2]: 09.23.08

I thought this was a cool flickr gallery...it's about laté art.

Here's a cool idea I stumbled over online: turn a used coffee to-go cup into a tissue holder. Click here to see the site and related photos.

DAY 1 [WEEK 2]: 09.22.08

Well, in it's first week, coffeecupcrusade.blogspot.com recieved 63 pageviews and was posted to Digg.com. 

Throughout the next few weeks, we'll be taking an in-depth look into the life-cycle of the paper cup.

WEEK ONE [1]:

DAY 7 [WEEK 1]: 09.21.08

Here's an example of what the counter app looks like. It's a simple and effective way to track my coffee cup count.

DAY 6 [WEEK 1]: 09.20.08

Here's a unique idea found on the following blog [click here for blog]: Use a pasta noodle to stir your coffee and bypass the use of a wooden stir-stick.

DAY 5 [WEEK 1]: 09.19.08

So, I've been thinking a lot about the recent Green Lantern article posted on the blog earlier in the week. [click here for article]

Here are a few of my considerations:

• Stainless mugs are more durable and portable than ceramic mugs...so people may be more likely to carry them often. Also, their material durability creates an extended life-cycle in comparison to other material mugs (i.e. ceramic, paper, plastic.)
  
• About the argument of 'water use' to clean a mug...I know what was in my mug: coffee, water, and sometimes milk. So, I just rinse a bit and let my mug air-dry overnight so it's ready in the A.M. Also, a person has to do dishes anyway, so wash your mug after dinner with all the other dishes used. I find the GL's argument about 'water use' silly in any other context outside of 'office use.' The only way to avoid 'water use' in cleaning mugs or dishware is to go completely disposable -- which defeats our purpose.
• So, if you're in this for the long run...go with stainless or ceramic. Their life-cycles are longer than paper or plastic AND they can be reused...for YEARS!

DAY 4 [WEEK 1]: 09.18.08

CONFESSION: So, I slipped up a bit today.

Our writing class met in the Presidio along the beach for a look at the installation exhibit "Cool Globes." By the time we got to the Warming Hut, I was pretty thirsty and bought an iced tea...in a plastic cup. I didn't have my mug along and so I took what was available. (Although, I did use my mug again later in the day for coffee.)

WHAT I LEARNED: There in an undeniable convenience factor in the disposable cup. It's always there when you need it AND a person uses it and throws it away -- left with nothing to carry along or clean later. 

DAY 3 [WEEK 1]: 09.17.08

Some interesting e-articles:

 - Ever wonder what it would be like to be a disposable cup for a day...click for link.

 - An investigative look at the ubiquitous paper cup...click for link.

 - A great NYTimes article about product life-cycle studies...click for link.

 - Which containers are best and what's your 'green' goal...click for link.

DAY 2 [WEEK 1]: 09.16.08

Interesting news clip! Toronto is considering imposing a tax on, or banning entirely, the use of paper coffee cups. Read more...

DAY 1 [WEEK 1]: 09.15.08

Project 'Coffee Cup Crusade' is underway. I've readied myself with a handy R.E.I. camp mug (it has a clever carabiner clip built into the base of the handle...making it ever so easy to take with me absolutely EVERYWHERE!)

I'm keeping coffee-cup-count via my iCounter app. I haven't decided yet if I'll be posting weekly updates of my iCounter tally or if I'll just post a project-completion tally, non the less, tallies will be taken!