Our experts tested the best reusable coffee cups in Australia to find the perfect match for you.
In an era marked by heightened environmental consciousness, the conventional disposable coffee cup is facing scrutiny for its substantial contribution to landfill waste. Responding to the environmental toll of single-use cups and lids, there has been a notable surge in the popularity of reusable coffee cups. Not only do these eco-friendly alternatives help alleviate the environmental impact, but some forward-thinking coffee shops, like Cafe Biscotti in Melbourne, even incentivize the switch with discounts.
The environmental challenges tied to disposable cups stem from their lack of recyclability, primarily due to the plastic lining maintaining water-tightness. As the movement towards sustainability gains momentum, opting for a reusable coffee cup emerges as an admirable decision. Yet, choosing the right cup involves more than just picking one off the shelf.
Considerations such as the cup’s size—ensuring it accommodates your regular coffee order—and its dimensions for seamless integration with your local coffee shop’s coffee machine or car cup holder are pivotal. Furthermore, committing to a reusable cup entails a commitment to maintenance, making dishwasher-safe options not only convenient but also a pragmatic choice for those embracing a more eco-conscious lifestyle.
Moving beyond the practicalities, the insulation of the cup becomes a crucial factor, with double-walled options gaining popularity for their ability to maintain the perfect temperature of your favourite brew. Additionally, the lid design plays a pivotal role – do you prefer a spill-proof lid with a complete seal or one that allows for easy sipping on the go?
From environmental impact to personal preferences, choosing the right reusable cup is an informed step towards a greener, coffee-fueled future.
Frank Green – Ceramic Reusable Cup
The Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Cup: a timeless favourite cherished for its chic and sophisticated design. Renowned for its sleek appearance, this cup seamlessly blends style with sustainability, making it a beloved choice among eco-conscious consumers.
Available in a vibrant array of colours, ranging from elegant neutrals to soft pastels and vibrant brights, there’s a Frank Green Ceramic Cup to suit every taste and preference.
Crafted with convenience in mind, the lid of this reusable cup is dishwasher safe, offering effortless cleaning after each use. However, the base is handwash only, ensuring the longevity of its ceramic construction.
Why we love it:
- Superior Temperature Control: Enjoy your beverages at just the right temperature for hours, whether hot or cold.
- Durable Construction: Its unbreakable base ensures long-lasting use, perfect for life on the move.
- Award-Winning Design: Recognized for its innovation and style, setting new standards in sustainable drinkware.
- Pure Flavour: Crafted from premium stainless steel with a ceramic lining, preserving the taste of your drink.
- Various Sizes Available: Choose the perfect size to match your regular coffee order..
Special features:
- Spill and Leak Resistance: Designed with precision, the Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Cup offers unparalleled spill and leak resistance.
- Fits Standard Cup Holders: Perfectly sized to fit most standard cup holders.
- BPA-Free: Crafted with your health and well-being in mind, the Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Cup is completely BPA-free.
KeepCup – Brew Cork
Introducing the KeepCup Brew Cork: a stylish and eco-friendly addition to your coffee routine. Designed for convenience and sustainability, this reusable cup features a 100% cork band that not only adds a natural and rustic touch but also protects your hand from heat. The KeepCup Brew Cork is handwash only, ensuring durability for countless cups of coffee to come. Conveniently available in a variety of vibrant colours, to tailor to your taste.
Why we love it:
- Versatile Sizing: The KeepCup Brew Cork comes in various sizes, catering to different preferences and coffee orders.
- Compatible with Most Cup Holders: Its convenient design fits seamlessly into most standard cup holders, ensuring hassle-free transportation whether you’re commuting or on the go.
- Fits Under Coffee Machines: Designed to accommodate under coffee machines, this cup effortlessly integrates into your daily coffee routine, making it convenient for home or office use.
Special features:
- Splash-Proof Sipper Lid: Enjoy your beverage on the move with confidence, thanks to the KeepCup Brew Cork’s splash-proof sipper lid, minimising spills and mess.
- Tempered Glass Construction: Crafted from durable tempered glass, this cup ensures strength and resilience.
Pottery For the Planet – Ceramic Travel Cup
The Ceramic Travel Cup from Pottery For the Planet offers a blend of artistic craftsmanship and eco-conscious design. With a variety of captivating designs and vibrant colours, each cup is a unique masterpiece, catering to individual tastes and preferences. Available in various sizes, these cups can accommodate different coffee orders. Additionally, silicon heat protective bands can be purchased separately, providing insulation and protection for your hands.
Why we love it:
- Ceramic Construction: The Ceramic Travel Cup from Pottery For the Planet boasts a durable and stylish ceramic construction.
- Handmade and Unique: Each cup is meticulously handcrafted, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces with distinct character and charm.
- Australian-Made: Crafted with pride in Australia, these cups not only support local craftsmanship but also adhere to high standards of quality and sustainability.
Special features:
- Cup Holder Compatibility: The Ceramic Travel Cup from Pottery For the Planet is designed to fit into most standard cup holders, ensuring convenient transport.
- 100% Silicon Lid: With a 100% silicon lid, this cup offers a secure and leak-proof seal, which is also free from BPA.
Made By Fressko – REUSABLE COFFEE CUPS
The Reusable Coffee Cups from Made by Fressko are the epitome of style and sustainability to add to your daily coffee ritual. Available in three convenient sizes, these cups cater to your preferred coffee size, ensuring the perfect fit. With a diverse range of colours to choose from, and boasting a sleek and contemporary design, Made by Fressko cups are not just practical but also sophisticated.
Why we love it:
- Versatile Fit: The Reusable Coffee Cups from Made by Fressko effortlessly slide under standard coffee machines and fit snugly into cup holders.
- Simple Maintenance: With an easy-to-clean lid, maintaining the hygiene and freshness of your cup is a breeze.
- Internal Barista Lines: Featuring internal barista lines, these cups allow you to accurately measure the quantity of your beverage.
Special features:
- Extended Temperature Retention: Enjoy your beverage at your preferred temperature for up to 3 hours.
- Cool Exterior: The exterior of the cup remains cool to the touch, preventing any discomfort or burns to your hands while holding it.
HuskeeCup – Reusable Cups
Introducing the Reusable Cups from HuskeeCup, a sustainable solution for your daily coffee fix. Available in two timeless colours – natural and charcoal – these cups seamlessly blend eco-friendliness with style. With four different sizes to choose from, ranging from petite to generous, there’s a HuskeeCup to suit every coffee lover’s preference.
Why we love it:
- Stackable: The Reusable Cups from HuskeeCup feature a stackable design, allowing for convenient storage and minimising clutter in your kitchen.
- Easy to Hold: With ergonomically designed grips, these cups offer a comfortable and secure hold.
- Modern Design: Boasting a sleek and contemporary aesthetic, HuskeeCup’s modern design adds a touch of sophistication to your coffee routine.
Special features:
- Dishwasher Safe: The Reusable Cups from HuskeeCup are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze and ensuring convenience for busy lifestyles.
- BPA-Free: Crafted with your health and well-being in mind, these cups are BPA-free.
T2- Stainless Steel Flask
Introducing the T2 Stainless Steel Flask, a stylish and practical option for tea enthusiasts on the move. Available in a variety of vibrant colours and captivating designs, this flask combines functionality with fashion.
With a generous capacity of 500ml, it’s perfect for those who prefer tea over coffee but still crave the convenience of enjoying their favourite brew while on the go.
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, the T2 Flask ensures your tea stays hot and flavorful for hours, allowing you to savour every sip.
Why we love it:
- Infuser Included: The T2 Stainless Steel Flask comes with an infuser, making it easy to brew your favourite loose-leaf teas on the go.
- Sleek and Modern Design: With its sleek and modern aesthetic, this flask adds a touch of elegance.
Special features:
- Double-Walled Insulation: Featuring double-walled construction, the T2 Stainless Steel Flask retains heat for up to 6 hours.
- Leak-Proof Design: Engineered with a leak-proof seal, this flask provides peace of mind, preventing any spills or leaks while you’re on the move.
Keep Cup / Reusable Coffee FAQs
What type of cup retains heat the best?
When it comes to retaining heat in your coffee, thermal mugs made of stainless steel, double-walled glass, or ceramic are the top contenders.
These materials excel in thermal insulation, effectively trapping heat within the cup and keeping your beverage hot.
The double-walled construction acts as a barrier, preventing heat from dissipating outward and ensuring that your drink maintains its temperature for longer. Asides from the cup material, the type of lid plays a crucial role in heat retention too. A well-designed lid that seals the cup shut creates a thermal barrier, minimising heat loss.
Do Keep Cups make a difference?
The effectiveness of Keep cups or reusable coffee cups depends on their consistent usage. While it’s been reported that these cups need to be utilised between 100 to 250 times before they become environmentally preferable to single-use cups, their impact is undeniable.
Despite the initial threshold, committing to a reusable cup means eliminating single-use waste from the equation altogether. This shift in behaviour will still reduce the strain on landfills.
It’s crucial to be selective about the materials used in these cups in order to ensure environmental impact is minimised. Plastic Keep cups, for instance, may seem like a sustainable choice at first glance, but they pose a significant environmental threat due to the leakage of microplastics during use and washing. Therefore, opting for non-plastic alternatives ensures that your efforts towards sustainability are truly effective.
What is the best material for reusable cups?
When considering the best material for reusable cups, stainless steel emerges as a top contender. Not only does stainless steel excel in durability, making it ideal for on-the-go use, but it also boasts remarkable insulation properties.
Unlike other materials, stainless steel cups can keep your coffee warm for hours, ensuring that you can savour every sip at your own pace. Additionally, the insulation provided by stainless steel prevents the exterior of the cup from becoming too hot to handle, safeguarding your hands from burns.
What size cup should I get?
When deciding on the size of your reusable coffee cup, it’s essential to consider the volume of your typical coffee order. Generally, a small coffee ranges around 280ml, while a medium falls around 360ml, and a large can be approximately 480ml.
However, these sizes may vary among different coffee shops, so it’s advisable to inquire about the cup sizes at your local cafe before making a purchase. By ensuring that your reusable cup aligns with the size of your preferred coffee order, you can guarantee a perfect fit.
Why you should use reusable coffee cups
Using reusable coffee cups offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the simple act of sipping your morning brew. Firstly, by opting for a reusable cup, you actively contribute to the reduction of single-use waste destined for landfills.
With millions of disposable cups discarded daily, choosing a reusable option significantly mitigates the environmental burden, aligning your actions with sustainable practices.
These cups also boast superior insulation properties compared to their disposable counterparts, ensuring that your coffee stays warm. Not only does this mean you can savour your coffee over a number of hours, but it also reduces the need for disposable cup sleeves or extra cups to maintain heat, further reducing waste.
Embracing reusable cups even safeguards your health by eliminating the risk of ingesting microplastics commonly found in disposable cup linings. By opting for a safer alternative, you prioritise your well-being while making a conscious choice for the planet.
Additionally, the economic benefits cannot be overlooked, especially with cafes increasingly offering discounts to customers who bring their own cups. In the long run, you can save a considerable amount.
This article was written by Skye and Josh, owners of CFTP.
As coffee lovers, Skye and Josh from CFTP have spent years exploring the world of coffee, from studying different brewing methods to discovering unique coffee beans from around the globe. With a deep appreciation for the art and science behind the perfect cup coffee, Skye and Josh are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and experiences with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Want to try their coffee? Head into their Seaford cafe, or purchase some beans online.
Coffee for the People Roasting Co.
37 Armstrongs Rd, Seaford VIC 3198
