What is a KeepCup?
KeepCup is a reusable coffee cup brand founded in Melbourne in 2009 by siblings Abigail and Jamie Forsyth. It was designed to reduce waste from disposable coffee cups, which are hard to recycle.
The Forsyths ran cafes in Melbourne and saw how many disposable cups were thrown away each day. They created a barista-standard cup in standard coffee sizes, made from durable plastic and later glass.
KeepCup became popular in Australia's coffee culture and was sold in dozens of countries. It helped make reusable cups a common sight in cafes.
Reducing waste
Disposable cups are lined with plastic, so they are difficult to recycle. Billions are used each year worldwide.
KeepCup designs are made in standard cafe sizes so they fit under espresso machines and baristas can make coffee as usual, a key reason for their success. The company now makes cups from plastic, glass and stainless steel.
Many Australian cafes give small discounts to customers who bring reusable cups, and campaigns such as Responsible Cafes encourage the practice. KeepCup is often cited as an example of an Australian business built around reducing waste.
Did You Know?
The ABC TV program War on Waste in 2017 boosted interest in reusable cups.