One of the most unfortunate eco-truths about drinking coffee is that the functional lifespan of the conventional paper cup doesn’t match its ecological lifespan.
After one drink the still fully functional liquid holder is already disposed. Obviously this generates a huge amount of waste. However, the paper cup is common used (and the amount of waste just piles up) since it is the cheapest option available and is very convenient to the customer.
How could a more sustainable cup possibly offer rival that? Is it bold to imagine a solution that matches the timespan we take to drink coffee? And could it at the same time offer something extra? (The answer has been in front of us all the time. It might be as simple as a cookie!)
Inspiration
In the Netherlands we often drink our coffee-on-the go in public transport, usually the train. More than 11 million cups of coffee are annually sold at train stations in Holland (and this number will only increase even more in future due to the expending market). The time in the train is often a fixed period of relaxation till we reach our destination.
The Dutch are always in search for atmospheres as “gezellig” as possible: as comfortable, pleasant, and socially fun as it can be. This atmosphere uses many attributes, and coffee is a very important one. The lifespan of our coffee experience is about half an hour. Then the cup is thrown away. Very logical because after all: Why should a cup exist longer?
Solution
Our answer? After a search for an advanced, ecological waste management system, we found one: our own stomach. Think about it:
- it is one of the most sustainable ways to recycle,
- it is easy to find and use (everybody has one) and
- it doesn’t cost much energy.
We mixed this ancient knowledge with modern food technologies and the edible cup was born. The new cup consists of three layers, from outside inwards;
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cookie; layer of insulation (made from delicious Belgian waffles)
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high tech inter-layer; heath and liquid resistant (mixture of sugar, water, cornstarch and albumin or brown vegan rice protein);
- flavor layer (optional); adds an extra element to your taste (What flavor would you like; chocolate, caramel, honey, milk, sugar … Let's make it happen!)
We challenge the current situation in which coffee-on-the-go is associated with work and stress. Let's revive the early grandma experience; your coffee with a cookie.
Coffee should remain a moment of enjoyment…
Coffee deserves to be even tastier…
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danieltreacy
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squalidsketch
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donner_mayer
And...The Federal Statistical Office Germany said: Every second German is overweight.
We should think about it.
squalidsketch
Martijn
In fact, a cookie cup has a high probability to prevent you from: eating a donut, hamburger menu, fries, etc ;). It is all about choices and alternatives.
Compared to USA, the Netherlands traditionally have a smaller percentage of the population who are overweight (source:WHO), while we always have enjoyed a cookie with our coffee...
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sweetmelissa9978
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Qvistar
sweetmelissa9978
(I'm just adding some humor to what seems to be turning....)
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Bear
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yomi
All the comments from American voters about obesity and hygiene: typical... that's all I'm saying....
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majaarnell
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bakske idea owner
@fashion4u
The innerlayer will hold the liquid for several hours. There will be a 'plain' cup available without any added flavors and it is 100% biodegradable if you can resist the temptation to taste it.
@Haas
We believe there is added value to offer a 2-in-1 solution; it brings another perspective and enriches the current coffee drinking experience. As mentioned, it might be a nice competitive product used by the many smaller coffeebars that are around.
@squalidsketch, @danieltreacy
We would like to emphasize again, the technology is already existing for another large market; ice-cream cones. There are large manufacturers with extensive knowledge of quality protocols, which distribute worldwide. We are currently in contact to discuss the process of spraying the extra (liquid resistant)layer in. They see no major difficulties, since they already have technology in place to coat them with chocolate. We are looking forward to their trials with our proposed material...
@danieltreacy, @sweetmelissa9978,
Indeed, hygienic aspects are very important to consider. We are looking into standards for other food products. Perhaps there should be a little eco-napkin provided to protect your nice cookiecup from a hostile environment with bad bacteria ;)
Again thanks for your feedback, we are just getting started developing the cookiecup towards a tasty reality! Hope you will continue to help us do that...
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Frieda
we'll use the next 48h to check all ratings again. The rating status of community members with strategic or manipulative rating behaviour will be put on false, hence their ratings won't count anymore. We will then re-activate the tallying of the votes and present the final result.
So please, have a little more patience and enjoy the leisure time (you at least have some ;-)
Best wishes from sunny Berlin
Frieda