She Said:
Don’t trifle with my drug of choice. Ever.
Coffee is and always has been a significant part of my life. I grew up with a little coffee in my milk, which I think it made me feel like I was connecting with my mom. She literally required a minimum of 2 cups prior to her feet touching the floor each morning. I bet my husband would argue that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because as I have scribed in the past, I need vast amounts of morning joe myself. Our beginning-the-day ritual involves me showering and then promptly joining my puppy on the couch with my first cup.
I don’t limit my intake to mornings. A cup of coffee after a relaxing meal is the perfect finish. I’ve also been known to drink a cup in the afternoon after lunch. This was the case recently as I stepped into (gasp) Starbucks for an Americano and some quiet time. I order my tasty beverage and wait patiently by the counter until they call my drink by name. But wait, there’s a problem. Clearly this can’t be my fix, because this drink is slumming in a go cup. I quickly survey the ‘lounge’ in hopes of clearing things up and realize that the rest of my fellow addicts are all drinking out of similar go cups and like me don’t seem to be ‘going’ anywhere. What’s up with that?
And so my issue: Why do coffee shops today serve in paper? Is it more eco-friendly? I can’t imagine, considering Starbucks cups are printed from 10 percent post consumer recycled fiber. What about the other 90 percent? (Even more egregious is the fact that Starbucks served my Americano in not one but two cups to ensure I wouldn’t burn my hands.) 2.6 billion cups found their way to a landfill in 2006 alone. Imagine what the 2011 numbers will be.
Ummm, ever heard of a mug, guys? How hard would that be?
I’m all about the environment and everything, but let’s not be disingenuous. I hate coffee in paper. It seems wrong. It is wrong. Just like I want good stemware for my vino, I want a real damn cup for my coffee. Am I the only one? I don’t think so. This is one thing on which He Said and I are in complete agreement.
What do my leftist Portland friends think of this? How are the baristas dishing it out up there?
This isn’t just a criticism of Starbucks, because this is an ugly trend that seems to be spreading. And I don’t like it one bit.
I love all my independent joints (Rue de la Course, The Bean Gallery, The Orange Couch, Fair Grinds) that are still doing it the right way, so I guess I just need to make sure I’m heading to the right spots to get my necessary. Or I could start carrying a personal mug and demand they fill it. I wonder how that would work out?
Environmental correctness takes a distant second place to corporate profits; if you want your brewed bean beverage in a mug, you’d better bring one of your own (that’s what most environmentally-conscious Seattleites do). Starbucks sells branded mugs and prevents loss of this retail item due to theft by serving its brew in portable, disposable paper cups. Even though there is in-store seating at most locations, the real goal is to get you out and about to serve the company as passive mobile advertising. It’s a shrewd strategy, given that the cost of the disposable cup was factored into the price of your beverage selection.
I haven’t had anything from the Orange Couch lately, but when I’d walk in when they first opened up, I got a small discount for providing my own mug.
It’s an interesting point. I don’t see the paper and plastic cups going away, but it does seem that since they already allow you to bring back your cup and get a refill for 50 cents, that they would be willing to pour it into a mug you brought in with you. Most stores are promoting the reusable, eco-friendly bags for shopping. So your own mug would make sense. I think I’ve seen people get it served in their thermal cups for the car. It just isn’t heavily marketed. The marketing angle is absolutely true, so they would be fair to either require you use their branded mug or at least provide a discount for doing so. Seems like a movement you could get started if it isn’t already.
Portlandite responding:
Before I go into the cup answer, the latest law on the Portland books is to outlaw (yes, OUTLAW) plastic grocery bags and to allow grocers to charge up to $0.05 per paper bag if you do not bring your own bag with you. I feel this law may have more to do with paper production in the NW, as the logging industry appears to be suffering than it has to do with plastic being an issue.
I’ll never forget being asked: would you rather kill a tree or choke a fish? (instead of “paper or plastic?” THat happened in NOLA; NOT PDX, and it was MANY years ago (Superstore era)
But back to the mug vs paper cup. Above, lunanola nailed it with the theft issue. Here in PDX, folks who hit a regular coffee stop tend to have their stainless steel travel mug or favorite ceramic with them; eliminating the need to waste paper, or plastic lids. Those who choose disposable better drink up quick as most places around here use cups w over 50% recycled material & no waxy coating…..leaks often ensue….
So there’s the skinny from up here!!
Cream & sugar to all!
…….a follow up- the title of your rant has that song rolling around in my brain and I don’t see an end in sight…..!
Thanks!
I think I’ve seen people bring their own cups to Starbucks….it’s worth a try