Dispense with those disposable cups. Life-cycle analysis of the energy and waste from producing, transporting and disposing of cardboard or polystyrene cups shows the ceramic coffee mug to be far more eco-efficient – even taking into account the water needed to wash between uses.

Using a mug results in 30 times less solid waste and 60 times less air pollution than using the equivalent number of cardboard cups.

Most take-out coffee shops will be happy to serve you in your own mug – after all, it saves their business money.