Plastic Free July is all about refusing to use single-use plastics - items made from plastic that are only used once before being thrown away.
The problem with the 'plastic waste' associated with single use plastics is that it doesn't break down, it just breaks up into smaller pieces, producing toxic chemicals that are detrimental to wildlife and the environment.
Plastic Free July also helps raise awareness of this issue and encourages people all over the world to reduce the amount of single-use plastics they use.
To celebrate, we're taking a look at the plastic-free and environmentally-friendly practices we've adopted at Cafe2U.
No plastic straws!
We've replaced plastic straws with biodegradable paper alternatives to reduce our carbon footprint.
Like disposable coffee cups, plastic straws can't be reused and usually end up in landfill. By using recyclable paper straws instead, consumers can play their part in reducing the amount that literally ends up going up in smoke.
Compostable paper cups.
Available from your local Cafe2U van, our compostable cups are biodegradable, so they can be composted or recycled, reducing waste and ensuring fewer items are sent to landfill. With people in the UK drinking approximately 95 million cups of coffee every day, we need to convince consumers to move away from single use cups as soon as possible.
We also offer reusable cups… and even give them away free with certain purchases every once in a while! Contact your nearest Cafe2U van here to find out more!
Coffee grounds recycling scheme.
Periodically, we also give customers the opportunity to take our used coffee grounds away with them absolutely free.
Normally, used coffee grounds are thrown in the bin, where they end up as landfill or in an incinerator. However, neither option is good for the environment, which is why we want to let more people know that they can also be recycled, reducing harmful greenhouse gases and giving your latte a second life.
Used coffee grounds have a number of uses, including:
repelling insects. Simply put the used grounds in a bowl outside and burn them like incense. The grounds are very potent and will drive pests away in no time.
making a useful fertiliser. Sprinkling used grounds - which are packed with key nutrients - on the soil surrounding your plants will encourage them to grow quicker.
helping compost heaps. By adding some used grounds to your compost heap, you'll improve its structure and attract worms, which speed up the process by turning food scraps into compost.
eliminating smells. A handful of used coffee grounds in your fridge will absorb food odours and ensure your meals taste like they should.
cleaning your pans. A couple of spoonfuls of used coffee grounds are abrasive enough to clean the dirtiest of pans - just apply the grounds to a cloth and get scrubbing! Remember to check a small area of the pan first to make sure the grounds don't stain the surface.
Emission-free deliveries.
If you get your coffee delivered to your home or workplace, make sure you use a company that only uses electric vehicles - like us!
Yep, we were the first mobile coffee company in the world to introduce a fleet of all-electric, totally emissions-free coffee vans. By changing the fleet to electric power, we estimate we'll save a whopping 12,672g of CO2 per year!
We need your help!
Supporting efforts to reduce plastic waste is easy - simply pick up a reusable or compostable cup next time you visit your local Cafe2U van and, if you could use some, take some of our used grounds away with you. You'll be helping us help the planet!
Find your nearest Cafe2U van here.