Why Ceramics Tumblers Belong in Your Daily Café Ritual — and How They Help the Planet
In the bustle of a morning coffee rush (or other dranks) , disposable cups seem like an easy choice — quick, convenient, and everywhere.
But behind that convenience is a *hidden cost*:
B I L L I O N S of paper and plastic cups piling up in landfills every year, many of which will still be around centuries from now. BILLIONS AROUND CENTURIES FROM NOW!
Switching to a ceramic tumbler isn’t just a small lifestyle change — it’s an act of care for our Mother Earth, your community, and your own daily ritual.
Here’s why:
- The Disposable Cup Problem Global impact: The world uses an estimated 500 billion disposable cups annually.
Recycling reality: Most paper cups are lined with plastic to hold liquids, making them nearly impossible to recycle in standard facilities. In the U.S., less than 1% are recycled.
Landfill life: Those cups can take 20+ years to decompose, and plastic lids or linings can persist for hundreds of years.
- Why Ceramics Are Better for the Environment Durability: A ceramic tumbler can last for years — often decades — with proper care. Even if it chips, it can be repurposed as a planter, storage container, or art piece. Lower footprint over time: A study by the University of Victoria found that after about 15 uses, a ceramic mug’s carbon footprint becomes lower than that of disposable cups, thanks to avoided manufacturing and waste.
Over the life of a ceramic tumbler, you could replace hundreds or even thousands of disposables.
No microplastics: Unlike single-use cups with plastic coatings, ceramics don’t shed microplastics into your drink or the environment.
- Enhancing Your Café Ritual There’s something about wrapping your hands around a handmade ceramic cup — the weight, the texture, the warmth — that makes coffee feel like a moment, not just a caffeine delivery system. By choosing ceramic, you’re: Supporting local artisans and makers.
Making your café visits more intentional.
Setting an example for friends, coworkers, and fellow customers.
- A Ripple Effect of Change If just 100 customers at a single café switched to reusable tumblers, they could keep over 50,000 disposable cups out of the landfill in one year. Multiply that by neighborhoods, cities, and regions — the difference becomes massive.
Bottom line: Choosing a ceramic tumbler is an everyday act of environmental activism. It’s a way to align your love of coffee (or tea!) with your values, and it’s a small swap with a huge payoff for the planet. So next time you head to your favorite café, bring your tumbler — and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your ritual is helping shape a greener future.
Experience It for Yourself — Monthly Open Studio + Café Pop-Up We believe sustainability should be as joyful as it is impactful. That’s why, once a month, we open our studio doors for a hands-on ceramic tumbler glazing session led by guest artist Taller Kupuri. You’ll get to personalize your own tumbler, enjoy the creative process, and make something you’ll use for years. To make it even sweeter, our friends at Coffee Bueno will be serving up fresh brews right in the studio — so you can sip, glaze, and connect. Whether you’re here to make your first tumbler or add a new favorite to your collection, this is a chance to bring art, coffee, and community together in one afternoon. Spots are limited each month, so reserve early to secure your seat (and your coffee).
SOURCES: OpenLCA. Life Cycle Assessment: Ceramic Cup vs. Paper Cup. 2025. https://www.openlca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Report_Ceramic_cup_vs_Paper_cup.pdf
The Guardian. How to Ditch Disposable Cups and Transform the Way You Enjoy Coffee. April 27, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2024/apr/27/how-to-ditch-disposable-cups-and-transform-the-way-you-enjoy-coffee
Business Waste. Paper Recycling Facts. 2024. https://businesswaste.com/waste-types/paper-recycling/paper-recycling-facts/
Stanford Magazine. Mugs vs. Paper Cups: The Essential Answer. 2024. https://stanfordmag.org/contents/mugs-vs-paper-cups-essential-answer
