Traditional travel mugs have been in use for a while. They're often insulated with double-walled stainless steel to keep your coffee cold or hot for hours. Some are also made with glass, ceramic, or plastic material. Generally, traditional travel mugs are not eco-friendly due to their non-biodegradable nature, and they cause plastic pollution and increase carbon footprints.
The only thing better than drinking a fresh cup of coffee during a work break is drinking it from an eco-friendly travel mug. For starters, they're a lighter option than traditional travel mugs and an effective way to reduce plastic waste in landfills. However, deciding which eco-friendly mug to use can be tricky — several options are available online, and they all have their features, materials, and style.
But the good thing is, we've done all the hard work for you. In this article, we'll explain all you need to know about eco-friendly travel mugs and also review some of the best options you can pick from.
A Deeper Look at Our Picks
SilverAnt Titanium Ultralight Coffee Cup
Features
The SilverAnt Coffee Cup is a perfect companion for your morning hot drink. It is double-walled, lightweight, strong, and durable. It comes with a food-grade silicone lid seal and a titanium straw. This product is certified by the leading US, EU, and Japanese governing bodies. The SilverAnt Coffee Cup is pricey but it comes with a lifetime guarantee. It holds 400ml/14 fl oz and weighs 187g/6.6oz.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Double-walled
- Strong and durable
- Food-grade silicone lid seal
- Titanium straw
- Certified by leading governing bodies
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
YETI Rambler
Features
If you're searching for a travel mug that's popular with internet influencers, then the is your best bet. This travel mug is not just on our list because of how many people use it but because of its Duracoat color, preventing peeling, scratching, or even fading.
YETI Rambler is available in about every color, so you'd always find your favorite. But if you're unsure, you can choose the stylish plain stainless steel model. A mug is not exactly stylish if you can't hold it well. That's why YETI ensured its full-loop, patented Triple Grip Handle fits all hands.
This travel mug is dishwasher safe, and the double-walled vacuum insulation ensures your hot coffee stays hot and your cold beverages stay cold. If you're on a budget, you might want to stay off this one. Dimensions: 4 1/8 inches high, 3 ½ inches in diameter
Pros
- Tough Duracoat coating won't crack, peel, or fade
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Triple grip handle
- Vacuum insulation
- Available in several colors
Cons
- MagSlider Lid is not leakproof and will not prevent spills
- Quite pricey
- Fragile lid
JOCO Glass Coffee Cup
Features
Pros
- Ergonomic design with anti-splash lid
- Thermal silicone sleeve for grip and protection
- Eliminates plastic and single-use waste
- Made from high-grade borosilicate glass
- Oven and microwave safe
- Stain and odour resistant
Cons
- Price may be too expensive for some
Tefal Travel Mug
Features
Superb temperature retention, size, leak-proof, and 360° circular drinking aperture. These are some of the unique features that make us really like this travel mug. The black rubber middle band of the Tefal Travel Mug also gives it an extra texture for gripping.
It's pretty much easy to use, all you need to do is press the center button of the lid, and it'll pop up, open a gap, and there you go! You can drink from all sides without spilling. When you're done, press the button again to prevent leaking. Another feature we really like is its size, which has a holding capacity of 0.5 liters. Best part? It's dishwasher-safe.
A downside to this travel mug is its price which is quite a lot compared to other brands. But to be fair, it's worth it, considering it keeps drinks hot for up to 6 hours and keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours
Pros
- Soft touch silicone wrap for comfort and a secure hold
- Press of a button allows 360 Degree drinking from all sides of the lid
- 100% leakproof
- BPA free
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not suitable for larger drinks
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug
Features
- Vacuum insulated
- BPA-free
- Non-toxic
- Closeable press-in lid
- Soft touch exterior
- TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation
- 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel
Keeping your coffee hot for an extended period is an essential feature of a travel mug. If you need an affordable brand to get this feature, consider going for Hydro Flask Reusable Mug. It is cheap and features a double-walled vacuum insulation that can keep your coffee hot for up to 6 hours.
Splashes are minimal with this mug because it has a closeable press-in lid that slides and shuts your drink from splashing while also opening wide enough for drinking and reusable straws.
Hydro Flask Mug is made with 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, ensuring absolutely pure taste and no transfer of flavor. It's also BPA-Free & Toxin-Free.
Pros
- Closeable press-in lid slides shut to tame splashes and trap temps
- Soft touch exterior is easy and comfy to hold
- TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation protects temperature for hours
- Made with 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel to ensure pure taste and no flavor transfer
- BPA-free and toxin-free
Cons
- No straw included
KeepCup Reusable Tempered Glass Coffee Cup
Features
If you're looking for an affordable and hand-made eco-friendly travel mug, JOCO Glass Reusable Coffee Cup might be your best pick. It's 100% handmade and produced with borosilicate glass. You also don't have to worry about its sturdiness — it's resistant to scrapes, scratches, and thermal shock.
The anti-spill ergonomic design prevents your coffee from splashing, so you can drink each sip and not wear it. The ergonomic nose dome design helps prevent collision with your face and allows head-tilt-free drinking while on the go, even when rushing.
Every purchase of JOCO helps to solve the lifetime issue of eliminating plastic and single-use waste. KeepCup brings you the perfect on-the-go vessel to enjoy the craft and sensory pleasure of specialty coffee. Designed for pure drinking pleasure, this cup features a splash-proof press-fit lid, lightweight design, and BPA-free materials. It's also 1% of all KeepCup revenue is donated annually to protect the environment.
Pros
- Durable tempered glass
- Splashproof lid
- BPA-free materials
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- 1% of revenue donated to environment
Cons
- Handwash to preserve cork band
What makes a travel mug eco-friendly?
A major thing that makes a travel mug eco-friendly is the material used in production. They're usually made of durable, BPA-free, or recycled materials like stainless steel, glass, or silicone. Stainless steel is regarded as the best material for sustainable, eco-friendly travel mugs due to its durability, robustness, recyclable nature, and good heat retention.
Travel mugs are an excellent option for reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up on land or ocean. In addition to keeping your coffee warm, travel mugs are microwave safe and strong, making them ideal for home use or traveling.
How to choose the right eco-friendly travel mug for you
There are several factors to consider when choosing an eco-friendly travel mug. While each travel mug has unique features, it's essential to consider your needs, materials, prices, and reviews from other customers. Check out our blog article : Sustainable Sips - How to Reduce Coffee Cup Waste.
Identify your needs
First, identify your needs. Before buying any eco-friendly travel mug, you need to think carefully about your needs. Do you want a mug with a large size? Stylish design? Or one that can keep your coffee hot for a long? If you'd prefer one that can be cleaned using a dishwasher, that's also a need you need to identify.
Consider the features
Features are also an important part of your choice process. Some travel mugs have unique features like a 360° leak-proof drinking system, press-in lid, anti-spill, and duracoat design. So, it's essential to choose an option with most of the features you desire.
Check the materials
Each material used in the production of travel mugs has its unique benefits and downside. Stainless steel, glass, ceramic, bamboo, and silicone are some of the most common materials used. So, choose a mug with the material that suits your needs.
Compare prices
All travel mugs come with their own prices. While some are budget-friendly, others are more expensive. So, consider going for one within your financial capacity.
Read reviews
Sometimes, pictures and descriptions don't do enough justice for a product. So, reading reviews from first-hand customers who've used the product is important as it'll tell exactly what you'll be facing.
Conclusion
You can make your coffee drink and other beverages more sustainable and improve the experience by using a travel mug. They're more sustainable than regular coffee cups, which increases the global waste pile. Travel mugs also have more reusable value, making them a better long-term option.
Meet the expert
Godspower is a graduate student of architecture. He's also a freelance content writer who loves coffee. His favorite method of brewing coffee is the French Press. When he's not writing, he's either working on a design, taking some time off or gaming.