# Eco-Conscious Cup Shares A Recycled Coffee Cups Program is Encouraging Drinkers to Share Mugs By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-05-05 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-coffee-cups References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3029693/if-were-sharing-everything-else-why-not-our-coffee-cups) & [inc](http://www.inc.com/jill-krasny/the-do-school-wants-to-replace-mbas.html) While many might be on board with [reusable mugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-cup-giveaway), a new initiative is pushing for recycled coffee cups for java on the go. A team of social entrepreneurs from DO School in collaboration with the [Brooklyn Roasting Company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/partners-coffee-1) are rolling out a 10 week program where they give out 500 ceramic cup-share mugs. Located in Brooklyn, New York's Dumbo neighborhood, the cup-sharing pilot project allows coffee drinkers to purchase a bright blue mug to be returned the next day for washing and sanitizing, rather than using a [disposable cup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verigreen-plus). The standard disposable variety typically costs 15 cents to make, which adds up quickly when you consider the thousands a coffee shop will go through. Buying recycled coffee cups will also get Brooklyn Roasting Co customers a 25 cent discount. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Recycled Coffee Cups:** Opportunity to develop and market recycled coffee cups as a sustainable alternative to disposable cups. - **Cup-sharing Programs:** Potential for creating cup-sharing programs in coffee shops, encouraging customers to return and reuse ceramic mugs. - **Sustainable Coffee Packaging:** Innovation opportunity for designing eco-friendly packaging solutions for coffee products, minimizing waste. ### Who This Affects Most - **Coffee Shop Industry:** Coffee shops can implement cup-sharing programs and offer discounts for customers who purchase and return reusable mugs. - **Sustainable Packaging Industry:** Opportunity for sustainable packaging companies to collaborate with coffee brands in developing eco-friendly coffee cup solutions. - **Recycling Industry:** Recycling facilities can explore partnerships with coffee shops to efficiently collect and recycle used ceramic mugs and coffee cups. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tech-Enabled Reusable Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caulicups.md) - [Urban Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-carriers.md) - [Home-Compostable Coffee Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-compostable-coffee-cups.md) - [Sustainable Compostable Coffee Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-cup-for-all.md) - [Sustainable Edible Coffee Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-coffee-bean-shop.md) - [Coffee Pod Recycling Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fcc-environmental.md) - [Reusable Beer Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supercup-1.md) - [Collapsible Metallic Coffee Carriers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collapsible-stainless-steel-cup.md) - [Eco-Conscious Coffee Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/costa-coffee-3.md)