Let’s Talk About Reusable Cups
As we are taking a new approach to hospitality in church and asking you to bring reusable cups and/or water bottles, this blog gives you the reasons why - alongside some useful tips about reusable cups and how they can save you money.
The Church of England is encouraging all of its parishes to join the Eco Church programme run by A Rocha. St Stephens have been part of this since 2019 and we have worked in various areas of the church to reduce our carbon footprint – more recycling, LED bulbs and the use of chemical-free cleaning products.
The next step we are taking is a big one, and one that needs your collaboration! By stopping the use of single-use cups the main impact will be to improve the church’s carbon footprint. Although the paper cups that we use are compostable – this can only take place in an industrial composting facility. We have spoken to Richmond council, and they cannot provide this service so consequently all the cups that we are using are being placed in landfill. The problem with the cups is not just about how to recycle them, a study by Intertek estimated that a typical cup requires 0.58 litres of water to produce and has a carbon footprint equivalent to up to 60.9 grams of carbon dioxide.
At St Stephen’s we use a minimum of 1,000 cups per month - at a cost of around £100 - which means that not only will we be saving carbon each month but also money, which is very important in the current economic climate.
There may be some teething problems to start with, but some of your questions are answered below:
What do I do if I forget my reusable cup or water bottle? Will it mean that I can’t have a drink?
We will have a supply of cups for emergencies – and for visitors to church.
Is it just the Sunday services that I need to bring it to?
This depends on whether it is a service/group that usually uses paper cups. Some of the smaller groups may use the china cups. But bringing a reusable one would cut down on the washing up!
What type of cup do I need to buy?
Reusable coffee cups come in all shapes and sizes. They can be metal, plastic, glass, bamboo or silicone. My preferred one is a silicone one that has a diameter of 9cm and collapses to a depth of 15cm so it doesn’t take up much space in my bag. Often you can buy second hand cups in charity shops.
How do I stop liquid dribbling out of the cup after I have used it?
We will have a slop bucket that you can use to empty out any excess liquid. Also an old waterproof bag – either plastic with a seal or an old toiletry bag to pop it into can limit any dribbles.
Will buying a reusable cup save me money?
Yes, if you buy hot drinks when you are out and about many coffee chains will give you a reduction when you bring your own cup. Find out where. This article lists the major chains, but also small independants will give you a discount too.