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# Smart Payment Mugs
Users Can Pay For Their Drinks Using the Environmentally Friendly Coffee Cup

By Alyson Wyers | Published 2015-04-11 | Eco
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/environmentally-friendly-coffee-cup
References: [springwise](http://www.springwise.com/australia-customers-pay-coffee-smart-cup/) & [frankgreen](http://frankgreen.com/shop/coffee-cups.html)

This environmentally friendly coffee cup cuts down on waste by being [reusable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-cup-giveaway), and is also embedded with smart capabilities, enabling users to pay for their coffee with the cup itself. Based in Australia, product innovators Frank Green designed the ingenious SmartCup.

The [eco-conscious mug](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-compostable-coffee-cups) incorporates smart payment technology. Tech-savvy caffeine consumers simply download the CafePay mobile app, order their coffee as per usual and then pay with just a swipe or tap of their [environmentally-friendly coffee cup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reborn-coffee). The smartphone app also hosts loyalty rewards from participating coffee shops, allows users to pre-pay and even treat friends and colleagues remotely.

The SmartCup comes in a variety of colors and is specially designed to better insulate hot beverages. As if it doesn't get any better, 1% of every online sale is donated to global environmental non-profit Earthwatch.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 5.8/10
- Popularity: 75% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial
- Top markets: North America, Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)

## Key Themes

### Why This Trend Is Growing

- **Reusable Smart Payment Cups:** Opportunity for businesses to incorporate smart payment technology into reusable drinkware, reducing waste and enhancing customer convenience.
- **Mobile Payment Apps:** Opportunity for app developers to create mobile payment platforms that enable users to make payments using their smartphones or smart devices.
- **Environmentally Conscious Products:** Opportunity for businesses to develop and market products that promote environmental sustainability, such as reusable coffee cups with embedded smart capabilities.

### Industries Being Reshaped

- **Retail and Hospitality:** Retailers and coffee shops can explore integrating smart payment technology into their point-of-sale systems to enable customers to make payments using smart cups or mobile apps.
- **Smart Device Technology:** Manufacturers and developers of smart devices can collaborate with coffee cup manufacturers to embed payment technology into their products, expanding the capabilities of smart cups.
- **Environmental Non-profits:** Non-profit organizations focused on environmental sustainability can leverage partnerships with innovative product companies to promote eco-friendly initiatives and receive donations from product sales.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Urban Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-carriers.md)
- [Sensor-Guided Tea Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundsip.md)
- [AI-Enhanced Smart Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelmug.md)
- [Sensor-Packed Smart Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nextmug.md)
- [Tech-Enabled Reusable Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caulicups.md)
- [App-Controlled Coffee Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/greatic.md)
- [Smart Temperature Control Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-temperature-control-technology.md)
- [App-Connected Heated Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cera-smart-mug-2.md)
- [Temperature Control Smart Mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temperature-control-smart-mug.md)