The UK's caffeine addiction sees us drink around 35 billion cups a year, but that comes at a huge environmental cost. We throw away more than 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups annually, and around half a million tonnes of ground coffee waste goes to landfill. The coffee industry also contributes to the UK's carbon emissions, which the government has pledged will be neutral by 2050. Some coffee companies think they have the solutions to help tackle these problems. Called a ButterflyCup, it's 100% paper - there is no plastic coasting - and nor is there a lid. Or rather, you create the lid by doing two simple folds after your drink is poured. It was developed by a pair of entrepreneurs in Ireland. "We believe it is the world's most environmentally friendly disposable cup," says Tommy McLoughlin, chief executive and founder of ButterflyCup. The cup works out slightly more expensive than the typical disposable ones containing plastic, says Mr McLoughlin. This may prevent some large chains from adopting it, since they operate very fine profit margins at vast scale. But the ButterflyCup is cheaper than the compostable ones with separate cup and lids, he says.
