More and more people are becoming aware of how their actions affect the environment, which is why they exert an extra effort to ensure that they minimize any negative impact. Some resort to walking or cycling, which is not only good for the environment as their carbon footprint is reduced, but this is also good for their bodies too. Others opt for reusable materials in order to lessen the garbage and trash that they are contributing to the earth. On this note, perhaps it is a good idea to take a look into how disposable cups affect the environment.

Deforestation

It may be a long chain, but disposable cups contribute to deforestation, particularly the paper cups that you use for hot beverages like coffee and tea. A good alternative is to opt for a reusable coffee cup instead and you can click here to have an insight on one of the best options. In doing so, you will be able to circumvent the need to cut down 6.5million trees in a year, just to support the manufacture and production of disposable paper cups. The forests will thank you for it.

Water Consumption

Water is an essential resource that needs to be preserved. You may be surprised to know that 4 billion gallons of water are needed in a year for a continued production of disposable paper cups. When you go for cups that can be washed and indefinitely reused, you are helping to conserve water. Not only this, but the water you conserve can be used by those who need it more such as people living in remote areas, rather than in the production of disposable cups.

Energy Use

In producing disposable cups, the energy used in a year is sufficient to power 54 thousand homes. When you choose to reuse, you are paving the way for the energy to reach more homes, rather than be used in the manufacturing and production of disposable cups. As a result, you help reduce the energy wasted.

Garbage

16 billion disposable cups are used on a yearly basis and while there are recycling plants catering to these wastes, they are not able to accommodate every single piece of cup that is thrown out. As a result, this trash piles up in sea beds of seashores, affecting marine life negatively. While there are disposable cups that are classified as biodegradable, it takes years before they eventually decompose. In addition to this, disposable cups are also difficult to repurpose, especially when they are in the billions.

It is high time that we do our part in preserving the environment through our own little ways. In choosing reusable cups, you contribute to the efforts of environmentalists to reduce the number of trees that are cut down, as well as the gallons of water that is wasted. You also help minimize the energy wasted, as well as the garbage accumulated here on earth. Your efforts will go a long way in saving mother earth because after all, we only have one planet. Rest assured that no matter how small, collectively, our contribution will definitely make a difference.