How Much Does a Reusable Cup Really Save? A Full Lifecycle Comparison

Spoiler: it’s much sooner than you think.

In Australia, we throw away an estimated 1 billion disposable coffee cups every year, and most end up in landfill. That’s enough to wrap around the earth multiple times.

At Grounded Goods, we wanted to know exactly how our Australian-made, closed-loop cups perform against the most common single-use option: the paper cup lined with PLA “compostable” plastic. These are often used in facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, universities, and other large facilities, where the rubbish really does pile up!

So, we commissioned a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The results? They speak for themselves.

What Is a Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)?

A Life Cycle Assessment measures a product’s total environmental impact from manufacturing, to use, to end-of-life.

Our study compared:

• Uppercup 12oz – double-wall Eastman Tritan, insulated for heat retention

• Activation Cup 12oz – lightweight, single-wall polypropylene

• Single-use PLA cup – paper with PLA lining, compostable in theory, rarely in practice (Bioplastics facts here)

The Carbon Break-even Point

Every reusable cup starts with a higher manufacturing footprint, it’s built to last. The magic happens when you use it enough times to “break even” with disposables.

• Activation Cup: Beats disposables in just 7 uses

• Uppercup: Break-even after 19 uses

After that? Every sip is a win for the planet.

Why Reusables Matter Beyond Carbon

While carbon footprint is a key measure, it’s not the only reason to switch:

• Landfill waste – Around 90% of disposable coffee cups end up in landfill due to contamination and mixed materials.

• Resource use – Single-use cups consume virgin paper and plastics for every drink.

• Microplastics – Plastic linings in cups break down over time, contributing to microplastic pollution in waterways.

Choosing a reusable option reduces waste, saves resources, and helps cut plastic pollution at its source.

Why Compostables Aren’t the Answer

Compostable cups can sound like a sustainable choice, but the reality is more complex:

• Limited facilities – PLA-lined cups require commercial composting to break down, and most don’t make it there.

• Contamination risk – If compostables enter recycling streams, they can spoil batches of recyclable materials.

• Production impact – Even “green” disposables require significant energy and resources to make, and that happens for every single use.

Real-life Savings with Swap Cup Programs

We factored in the carbon impact of washing, both at home and in commercial dishwashers. Efficient washing makes a big difference, which is why our Swap Cup Programs (centralised wash + reuse) achieve the fastest savings.

Even one office worker using reusables in a swap system can cut around 4.6 kg CO₂ per year.
A company of 5,000 staff? That’s roughly 23.5 tonnes saved annually.

And it’s not just offices, swap systems are now helping at festivals, stadiums, and events to drastically cut single-use waste.

Why Grounded Goods Cups Perform Better

• Made locally within a 20 km radius of Melbourne, cutting transport emissions (local manufacturing benefits)

• Closed-loop recycling: we take back old cups and turn them into new products

• High durability: designed for years of daily use, far beyond the break-even point

Legislation & Trends You Should Know

Across Australia, single-use plastic bans are rolling out in multiple states:

• Victoria has banned certain single-use plastics and is encouraging reusables in hospitality.

• Queensland has extended bans to include coffee cups with plastic linings.

• South Australia was the first to ban single-use straws, stirrers, and cutlery.

These changes make now the perfect time for businesses to switch to reusables, staying ahead of regulations and meeting customer expectations for sustainability.

The Takeaway

If you’re using your cup every day, the environmental payback comes fast. Choose a durable, locally made option, and you’re not just cutting carbon, you’re keeping resources in the loop, and waste out of landfill.

FAQ :

How many times should I use a reusable cup before it’s better than disposable?
Activation Cup: 7 uses. Uppercup: 19 uses.

Do compostable coffee cups break down?
Only in commercial facilities, and most don’t make it there (Planet Ark explainer).

What’s a closed-loop recycling system?
A process where products are collected at end-of-life, broken down, and remade into new products.