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Dear Starbucks, we love your new-and-improved-no-spill-stainless-steel-reusable coffee mug ^[5]. However, we would like to offer you a bit of advice from the Inhabiteam. We think you could take this holiday gift to the next level by incorporating a built-in barcode into your beautiful reusable mugs ^[5] that would function like a pre-paid gift card. Picture this: Starbucks ^[6] guests love gift cards, especially during this festive season. As strong supporters of your endeavors to go 100% reusable or recyclable by 2015 ^[7], we think this fresh, innovative element could truly boost the sales of your reusable travel mugs and moreover, influence a change in your clients’ lifestyles. If you want to use your gift card money, you have to bring your reusable mug! This could transform many of our daily routines – which is what really needs to happen to reduce the number of cups generated as waste every day.

^[8]Starbucks’ new no-spill reusable mug. Nice, but we think our idea could make it even better!

Cups — in the paper/throwaway form — are convenient, no doubt. However, as a team of caffeine fiends, we at Inhabitat are constantly reminded of consumption in the grab-and-go style, as the overflowing trash bin has become far too familiar. According to a study done by the Environmental Defense Fund ^[9] and published on Sustainability is Sexy ^[10], the number of disposable cups projected to be thrown out in 2010 is 23 billion. Really? Umm…this is disgusting. In addition, these cups are generally made with only a portion of recycled paper and laminated with a plastic resin; this means it takes much longer for them to decompose and when that resin does break down, it releases a greenhouse gas.

We don’t mean to preach, but next time you buy a cup of joe in your local café, ask for a ceramic mug; if you are one of those “on-the-run” people like us, invest in your own reusable one. It’ll even save you a buck or two in the end, since most coffee shops reduce the price of your caffeine kick when you bring your own mug.

+ Starbucks ^[6]