Terrapass thinks Starbucks should shift to ceramic mugs. While I think the brand argument is a good one, the table-turnover point blatantly ignores the customer’s needs. Of course, ultimately it probably comes down to the cost calculation. In other news, Starbucks has put a substantial amount of effort in designing a cup with recycled materials.

I wouldn’t worry about table turnover. The idea that the time customers spend at a starbucks table is a function of the temperature is, I think, a gross simplification. What he doesn’t mention which is more relative to the argument is that Starbucks enjoys a certain recognition as a luxury, and ceramic mugs would embolden this and highlight that it is in a different league than its cheaper competitors (McDonalds/Dunkin Donuts.)

Granted, I wasn’t saying that his turnover argument made sense… just that even if it were true, it’d be a horrible reason to add ceramic cups.

http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/ask-pablo-the-coffee-mug-debac-002246.php

This is a pretty interesting point made supporting the use of ceramic cups. Besides even when recycled material is used it is always better to have reusable items. The 3 R’s of the Arrow pyramid are Reduce, Reuse, and recycle. If you can prevent the need to recycle in the beginning you are already ahead.

Not to mention the saving old growth forests from being cut and the leaching of chemicals like bleach from paper into water tables.

I do admit the whole issue it a bit of a tossup though.