Think outside the cup

I don't hate the environment, but I've never really gone out of my way to help it.

This morning, I made my regular ritualistic run to the hospital coffee shop. They were out of the little cardboard sleeves that protect your hand from the sometimes painfully hot cup. As I tolerated the pain on the way back to my desk, I thought to myself "I wonder if I have one from yesterday still in my cube. I could bring it back tomorrow in case they are still out". Then I thought, well, what if I just had one that wasn't disposable? Not only would it be more convenient, but it would be better for the environment. Given that there is nothing new under the sun, I assumed such a brilliant idea had already been birthed. So, with Google's help I found a couple companies that specialize in what are commonly known as "cupcoats". I ordered the one pictured in this post. It was about 14 dollars with shipping from http://www.cupcouture.com/, but http://www.cupcoats.com/ has them cheaper.

This is how to save the world. Make it convenient. If it's actually more convenient for people to do something environmentally conscious, they will be more likely to do it. Granted, some people may not see a non-disposable sleeve as more convenient than a disposable one, but I do. If you own a coffee shop, try stocking some cupcoats and "run out" of the disposable ones a few times. People will see the need. It also wouldn't hurt to give cupcoat users a discount. You're making a profit from selling them, and you're spending less on the disposable ones anyway. Individuals will never save the world, but perhaps Starbucks can.