Coffee False Dichotomy

It's probably the most common false dichotomy these days, the "stay in or take away?" question you're asked at coffee shops. The assumption is that if you're taking away, you get a paper cup and you get a ceramic mug if you're staying in.

There are two other possibilities; take away a ceramic mug, which is unacceptable, and stay in with a paper cup, which is perfectly acceptable. This, by the way, is my preferred choice.

Photo shot at Costa Coffee at the Old Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch. Camera: Zenit-E | Lens: Helios 44-2 | Film: Lomography Lady Grey

In the past, I had my short speech at the tip of my tongue; "I am staying in, but please can I have it in a paper cup?" . These days, most of the baristas recognise me and don't ask anymore. Some of them don't even ask what I want, they just start making the drink.

I opt for a paper cup for a couple of reasons. First, the drink stays warmer for longer because it is covered. Since I'm usually working, I'm in no hurry to leave the cafe, so the longer the coffee lasts, the better. Besides, a large or Venti is a lot of coffee. Secondly, having a paper cup gives me the option to up and go at any time were something to suddenly occur that required me to leave the cafe.

I had a quick back and forth with cafe staff some time ago regarding paper vs ceramics. In their point of view, using ceramic mugs is more environmentally friendly.

Is it though? According to the scribblings on my cup, it says it is made of 100% recycled materials. It also says it is recyclable yet again. So as long as the cup is recycled after use, it's not as damaging as any odd bit of paper/plastic.

Also, with ceramic mugs, which have to be washed, there's the water cost. (Fresh) water is becoming more and more scarce even in industrialised nations. The water used to clean these mugs has to be fresh drinking water due to the fact that they're used to serve consumables.

Someone has to do a water vs paper recycling analysis to claim definitively that ceramic mugs are more environmentally friendly I think. Show me the science! :)

Obviously, if the cups are actually taken away and thrown in a standard bin (or in my neighbourhood, on the floor), then the environmental damage is clear.

At home, I make my coffee in the same mug over and over again all day without washing it. So that's clearly saving water right? So in those extreme scenarios, the ceramic mug clearly is more eco. If people behave conscientiously, however, then the difference is negligible I think.

Which is just as well. Most coffee shops in my hood would give you a little discount if you bring your own receptacle, which of course, I've never done :)

What say ye? Do you think it makes any difference paper or ceramic? Do you even care?

Peace and Love ✌🏿
Adé