Reusable Coffee Sleeves
The things you can learn in the ‘burbs when you visit your family…. and all I wanted was a hot coffee with a splash of soy!
At the Caribou Coffee store outside of Washington, DC, I noticed a new eco-friendly display area dedicated to reusable coffee sleeves. Who knew that 1.1 billion disposable sleeves are tossed away every single year? Sure, the greenest thing is to bring your own reusable thermos to the store and not use a paper cup OR sleeve, but there will be those times (or people who will never bring a reusable cup to the store no matter what). Granted, whenever I do forget to bring my reusable thermos, I just forgo the sleeve altogether, but for those of us with more heat-sensitive hands, perhaps reusable sleeves are the way to go.
Here’s a reusable “clutch” style complete with pocket to hold change, your coffee gift card, keys, whatever.
Here’s a cozy sweater version for sale, too. When I saw this, my first thought was “why not use an old sweater sleeve instead?” This thing is going to get dirty, quickly, so I’d feel better using something that was destined for the Goodwill heap than to buy something new. Even better: why not the elastic-part from the cuff of a sweatshirt? It’s more durable, colorful, and it will fit snug around the cup.
Okay, I actually like this felted one a bit. But I do also see the challenge of using these reusable sleeves on a consistent basis. Knowing me, I’d lose it in a week, so buying a new one each time is probably less green than just using a paper sleeve or no sleeve at all.
But I applaud Caribou for thinking outside the box (er, cup) here and have been seeing more and more eco products, innovations and methods introduced in their stores over the last few months.
Would you use one of these? Or do you forgo the sleeve altogether? Or would you make your own?
[...] Daily Danny » Blog Archive » Reusable Coffee Sleeves – Green … [...]
Danny,
I have a resuable sleeve that I made that I keep in a pocket in my purse. It folds flat so it stays neatly in that pocket. Perhaps you could find a pocket in your backpack it would sit in. When you finish the drink put it there and then it is there when you next stop for coffee.
I use one almost every day. My wife makes them from upcycled burlap coffee sacks. The coffee shops that she sells wholesale to can’t get enough of them. I’m assuming that’s an indication that people really like them. We keep one on the gear shifter in each of our cars so it’s always handy.
Here’s an example of one of hers: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36361614
These are soooo easy to knit and they can double as beer cozys!
I use reusable sleeves bought on Etsy. I keep it in my drawer at work & use it daily for my hot teas.
I have made a bunch of them, but am still working on the best design to fit any size cup. But I have to face the fact that the best thing is to just use a mug from home, instead of using the paper cups that are then thrown away. Cup cozies are good, but reusable containers are better.
We have a set of china cups that don’t have handles. The sides get a little too hot when you use them to hold hot beverages. I’m going to make a set of cloth coffee cup sleeves for those mugs.
We have a local chain of coffee shops that prints their frequent buyer card on their paper coffee cup sleeves. Useful I guess if you forget your mug.
I have friends that have been knitting some. Very cute.
But I like the idea of cutting up old sweaters and, even better, sweatshirts (that I never wear anymore; why do I still have them?). I agree, I don’t think something I will prob. lose/drop needs to be bought new…
I knit my own coffee sleeves, and make them for friends as well. They are always well received.
When I move home again, I will get to know my baristas… and give some to them too. 
[...] Daily Danny » Blog Archive » Reusable Coffee Sleeves – Green … [...]
I saw your post yesterday and thought it was just too cute.
I always take two extra sheet of napkins wrapping around my coffee when they don’t have sleeves…what a waste of paper!
so I made two cup sleeves out of my cute old mittens yesterday. =D now I have my own and they are adorable.
great idea!
Danny, I make these (and sell them) and all of us girls keep one in our purse pocket. I have several so I can match my sleeve to my mood
they are fun and mine have velcro so they fit all different size cups. I even use them on my reusable cups.
just thought of a new one: one of my fav. pair of Smartwool socks finally gave in at the heel….but I cut off the top (the really cute part) and it’s a PERFECT cup warmer! I saved my last cup from Starbucks (I only had it b.c I had to do the drivethru, so I couldn’t give them my own cup, it would really slow down their line!)….anyhow, my sock fits wonderfully, looks so cute! And, I still have my fav. socks!
Last year I made myself a coffee sleeve to always carry with me, and it usually comes in handy when I’ve forgetten my travel mug at home. I made a few and just stash one in each purse so I can never forget.
Make my own. I would take an old sweater – use the body for a pillow and the sleeves for the coffee sleeves.
I think Caribou’s idea is terrible. I try to be eco-friendly, but I really hate when corporations try to make money and package their corporate greed in a “green” package. If you look at the packaging of these reusable sleeves, you will see that the packaging contains more cardboard than a regular disposable sleeve. Also, they make these out of plastic from China. Do you think it’s good for the environment to make all of these plastic sleeves in a factory in China and ship them to the US? I argue that it is more green to just use the disposable sleeves because they are made with recycled material and they are biodegradable.
For heat and cold retention, check out the orginial Kup Kollar since 1996. It’s designed with Thinsulate insulation by 3M used for winter clothing and coolers. More info http://www.koffeekompanions.com/kollar.html