The Reusable Cup Dilemma: When Sustainability Meets Consumerism
Our reusable mugs shelf is full to bursting with smoothie cups, travel mugs and water bottles, and I’m sure we’re not the only ones. How does this happen? How does trying to reduce disposable cups still turn into overconsumption?
Reusable cups and water bottles are everywhere — in backpacks, car cupholders, and on social media feeds. Marketed as eco-conscious alternatives to single-use plastics, they've become the go-to symbol of sustainability. But in a society built on consumption, even reusable products are trapped in a cycle of obsolescence. If a cup is supposed to last for years or even decades, why do we keep buying new ones?
The Trend Cycle of Reusables
Over the last two decades, the reusable drinkware market has exploded. It started with utilitarian Nalgene bottles in the early 2000s. Then came Contigo travel mugs, followed by the viral rise of Hydro Flask and S’well in the 2010s. Now we’re in the age of Stanley Quenchers, Owala, and pastel-toned BrüMate cups. Each wave brings a new look, a new feature, and a new must-have.
Rather than buy one long-lasting item, consumers are encouraged to upgrade with every viral trend. These cups are no longer just about function — they’re about identity, status, and aesthetic.
Where Do Old Cups Go?
Unlike single use plastic bottles, most modern reusable cups are made from multiple fused materials: stainless steel, silicone, resin, rubber, and plastics. This makes them very difficult to recycle.
Even donation centres are overwhelmed with discarded mugs and bottles. Unless a brand offers a take-back or repair program (few do), most unwanted cups end up in landfills.
This cycle isn’t accidental. Many brands produce updated models yearly, with new colours, limited editions, or "improved" lids and handles. It’s not just about durability — it’s about planned obsolescence disguised as lifestyle upgrades.
Sustainable Means Slow
It’s okay to love your water bottle. But let’s remember why reusable products were created in the first place: to reduce waste, NOT to create a new category of it.
So what do we do? The truth is, real sustainability isn’t trendy or flashy. It’s buying one well-made cup and using it for a decade. It’s resisting the dopamine hit of a new colour or shape.
Keeping them in play longer
Sometimes we tell ourselves it really is time for a new mug/water bottle. The one we have has issues – maybe it’s got an odour, it’s stained or it’s dinged up – somehow it’s now less than perfect. Here are our tips for dealing with the top three issues with older water bottles and mugs:
- They get stinky – Your best bet is to wash them in hot soapy water on the regular. If you have a persistent beverage smell, usually hot water and baking soda will pull it out. If it smells funky like something sat in there too long, then a run through a hot dishwasher works. I keep a dedicated toothbrush by the sink for cleaning out crevices in lids, as well as a skinny straw brush to clean inside built-in straws. Many companies even provide videos on how to properly clean and maintain their products.
- They get stained –If a brown stain inside your mug is giving you the ‘ick,’ try the product Bio Caf Coffee Equipment Cleaning Powder. It’s a commercial grade, eco-friendly cleaner used by coffee shops . A teaspoon of that and some really hot water will remove any and all staining. It’s practically magic, and I haven’t found anything else that works nearly as well.
- They get banged up – we find this is more an issue for our kids’ items than for ours. For exterior scuffs, adding some water proof stickers can make an item feel both customized and new again. If it’s a lid issue, depending on the brand you can also get replacement parts if needed.
If you do need a new one, then what?
When you do need a new one, look for used first. I found a Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle for $3 used vs paying $35 for it new. The nice thing about buying used stainless steel is it is very easy to sanitize. I picked it up about 10 years ago and it went with my son to summer camp today, still in good shape.
As parents with two kids, we have run the gamut when it comes to trying out different types of bottles. In my experience, the more expensive brand-name items are built better and last much longer. And if you are going to get one, do a bit of research. Some brands such as Keep Cup, Miir and Klean Kanteen go out of their way to source recycled materials and have eco-conscious production chains.
The bottom line is - if your bottle or mug still works, clean it well and keep using it. The planet doesn’t care what colour it is. For myself, I’m declaring a household moratorium on buying any new mugs or water bottles until the current ones truly age out of use.