In this blog I will discuss just how costly it is not switching to a reusable coffee cup and how gamification could inspire you to bin your dangerous coffee cup once and for all.
Polyethylene, a common type of plastic, plays a crucial role in our daily coffee rituals—whether we realise it or not. It’s used as a thin plastic lining inside disposable coffee cups to prevent liquid from seeping through the paper exterior. This innovation has made single-use coffee cups an incredibly convenient option for millions of people around the world, enabling on-the-go lifestyles with minimal mess or fuss. However, what many don’t realise is that the very material making these cups leak-proof may also pose a health risk, making your use of a dangerous coffee cup potentially life changing and planet polluting.
Microplastic Contamination: What’s Really in Your Cup?
Recent studies have shown that when hot beverages like coffee or tea are poured into these polyethylene-lined cups, the plastic can degrade, releasing microscopic plastic particles into the drink. Research has indicated that just one cup of hot coffee can result in the ingestion of thousands of microplastic particles. A study published in the Journal Of Hazardous Materials found that a single plastic-lined cup exposed to hot liquids could release up to 25,000 microplastic particles per cup (1). These microplastics, once ingested, accumulate in the body.
The health implications are still being researched, but there’s growing concern about the impact of these tiny plastic particles on human health. Studies suggest that microplastics may contribute to inflammation, alter hormonal balance, and increase the risk of diseases like cancer. The human body has no efficient way of breaking down plastic, meaning that the accumulation of these particles could have long-term negative health effects. A 2022 study (2) found that microplastics were present in human blood for the first time, raising alarms about how deeply plastic has infiltrated our daily lives.
In a previous blog, I described my own experiences with PlasticTox and my shock at discovering my own blood contained upwards of 150,000 plastic nanoparticles. I am approaching day 40 of no Diet Coke or any other carbonated drink in a can or bottle and, from this point on, I’ll be bringing a reusable cup to Starbucks for my favoured Chai Latte.
But, how much of a challenge might it be for others?
Convenience vs. Sustainability: The Dilemma of Single-Use Cups
Despite the growing awareness of the health and environmental risks posed by polyethylene and other plastics, single-use coffee cups remain a staple of convenience. They are lightweight, easy to dispose of, and readily available at nearly every coffee shop, fast-food restaurant, and garage. However, this convenience has come at a steep environmental cost: millions of these cups end up in landfills each year, contributing to the global plastic waste crisis.
One of the key challenges to reducing the reliance on single-use cups is the slow adoption of reusable alternatives. Despite widespread environmental campaigns, only a small percentage of people regularly bring their own reusable cups when purchasing coffee. A 2020 study by Mintel found that only 36% of UK consumers regularly use reusable coffee cups, even though 75% expressed concern about plastic waste.
The sluggish adoption of reusable cups can largely be attributed to a combination of convenience and habit. People are accustomed to the throwaway culture of single-use items and may feel that switching to a reusable option requires more effort than it’s worth. Additionally, many coffee shops are still geared toward providing disposable cups, making it more convenient for consumers to stick with the status quo.
Can Gamification Drive Change?
Given the slow adoption rates of reusable cups, one potential solution is to make sustainability more engaging—and even fun—through gamification. Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements, such as rewards, points, and achievements, into everyday behaviours. For example, coffee shops could reward customers who bring their own cups with points that can be redeemed for discounts or even free beverages. This system could be further extended by tracking eco-friendly behaviours such as walking or biking to work, purchasing sustainable products, and making other environmentally conscious decisions.
Research supports the idea that gamification can be a powerful tool for behaviour change. A 2021 study published in The International Journal of Information Management (3) showed how consumers’ experience and engagement with a gamified system can transfer into improving sustainability outcomes. Gamification could significantly increase engagement with sustainability initiatives by tapping into people’s desire for rewards and social recognition. In the context of reusable cups, a system that tracks and rewards individuals for using their own cups could create a sense of accomplishment and community, helping to normalise this behaviour over time.
By including this action in a wider range of rewardable activities such as taking eco-friendly commutes or purchasing sustainable clothing could extend the benefits beyond just reducing plastic waste. Such initiatives would contribute to a broader shift in consumer behaviour towards more sustainable lifestyles.
The slow adoption of reusable cups is not just a matter of convenience but also a pressing public health and environmental issue. By leveraging gamification to make sustainability more engaging and rewarding, we might be able to turn the tide against single-use plastics. Encouraging people to bring their own cups, track eco-friendly commutes, and to make sustainable purchases could foster a new culture of environmental responsibility.
But would gamification work? There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting it could. The question is whether we are ready to turn these small, daily actions into a broader movement for change.
A Call to Action
As the risks associated with microplastic ingestion become more apparent, it’s essential to rethink our daily habits. While single-use coffee cups offer undeniable convenience, their hidden health and environmental costs are too great to ignore. Gamifying the use of reusable cups and other sustainable actions might just be the nudge society needs to make a lasting, positive change.
So, would you be more likely to bring your own reusable cup if it meant earning rewards, tracking your sustainable habits, and making a difference? Could small incentives spark the shift we need to reduce plastic pollution and protect our health? The answer may lie in how well we can merge convenience with sustainability—one reward at a time.
This is why I am building One Sky Collective. I truly believe that gamification can work individually and collectively to make living more sustainably fun and rewarding. Together we can ditch that dangerous coffee cup, park that car, and maybe consider the clothing you wear.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420321087
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268401220315048