Eco Coffee Cups

Eliminating Plastic Lids

Environmental Issues – Everyone knows it’s better for the environment to use refillable water bottles, tumblers, and travel mugs. Sometimes, though, that’s not always possible, at which point our used paper cups and plastic lids become pesky pollutants.

That’s why Compleat, a new start-up started by an architect/designer named Peter Herman, has reinvented the traditional disposable coffee cup. Rather than the two-piece, paper and plastic combo of coffee shops, Compleat uses a sleek, foldable, one-piece structure that includes a built-in sippy spout.

Herman, a Massachusetts-based architect at the Ellenzweig firm, teamed with Daren Bascome of the graphic design firm Proverb, to complete the cups. So while the cups are not only recyclable (and possibly even compostable), they also come branded with encouraging and environmental messages.

Through the Compleat cups are not yet on the market, Herman is currently working with manufacturers and retailers to solidify plans. He maintains that the new style could even benefit companies by saving them money (buying a piece is cheaper than two).

If Compleat’s concept takes off, it could even be adapted for other drinks on the go. Until then, don’t forget to reuse drink containers and recycle plastic whenever possible.

Read more at Co.Design and Compleat.