In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day – that’s 2.5 billion every year! And did you know that these disposable cups have a plastic lining? The lining is used to keep the liquid in and hot. Take a look at the video below. If this plastic gets into the environment, it poses a significant risk to our marine life. Each year 100,000 marine mammals die as a result of plastic pollution. Sheffield is in a key prime to make that happen due to the five rivers we have. In addition, studies have shown that a single disposable cup releases 25,000 microplastic particles into hot liquids within 15 minutes.

This is why Sheffield Action on Plastic is calling for Sheffield cafes, charity shops and the public to team up and set up Mug Exchanges.

Mug Exchanges are where people drop off and use china mugs to use for takeaway hot drinks, just like in the photo above. For every single-use disposable cup not used, is one less chance that plastic will get into the environment.

If you are a Sheffield cafe, please consider setting up a Mug Exchange.

If you are a Sheffield charity shop, please consider donating your unsold mugs to nearby cafes and encourage them to set up a Mug Exchange.

If you are a member of the public, please consider donating your unused mugs to nearby cafes and encourage them to set up a Mug Exchange.