I found some great mugs. They're recycled and reyclable and dishwasher / microwave safe. Very user-friendly, and best of all I got 'em at Peets on clearance for $4.99. So I picked up the last three from the Peets on 17th and Geary. My best friend from San Diego was visiting for the weekend without a mug of her own, so I gifted one to her to get the project going and so she didnt have to use paper for gallons of coffee we'd be drinking while she was here.
On my way to work yesterday, I stopped by Peets at Laurel Village and bought the last four they had. And then I figured, no time like the present. As it turns out, doing a random act of kindness for people and the environment is a nervy experience. My hands were, as usual, sweating in protest and my heart was kinda thumping out of my shirt, but it was time to ask strangers to take these free mugs. So I turned to the line behind me, as I'm struggling with my wallet to get my debit card out, and ask total strangers if they'd like a mug for free, no strings attached. Mixed reactions. I successfully gave out three mugs to people in line behind me, and got one "no thanks." I'm not gonna lie, the "no thanks" left a little bruise. But as I walked out of the coffee shop, I stopped a lovely happy-looking mom pushing a stroller in the intersection, and she enthusiastically took the mug, thanked me, and assured me she was headed to Peets to fill it up. Success.
Side note: I have $15 left for the month, which ends Saturday.
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Idea
My idea for starting this blog and the "Here's Your Mug" project is pretty simple: I just wanted to make minor adjustments to my life in order to lessen my carbon footprint. I consider myself a pretty careful consumer, but make no mistake, I am indeed a consumer. I grocery shop and sometimes forget my reusable bags. I order take out and even though I pass on the extra napkins and utensils, my food comes in a container. We all want to do better, but it all gets so big and overwhelming that we end up feeling like it's all in vain. I decided that if I wanted to be better, I should start small.
Last year I bought a reusable water container and made a commitment to carry it with me and lay off the plastic water bottles. Then, I did the same with coffee. I drink coffee every single day and that usually meant picking one up on the way to work. So I bought myself a travel coffee mug and decided that if I didnt remember to bring my mug with me, I didnt get coffee that day. Simple. My dependence on coffee is severe enough that carrying a travel mug around is a small price to pay.
Then the idea just grew from there. How about I buy a mug for my girlfriend and she stops using paper cups? What if I buy more mugs, and give them out to my friends? What if I don't stop there, and give the mugs to strangers, encouraging them to use the mug, even just a couple times a week? Would people actually use them? And more importantly, would that make a difference? So the thought became a bit of an obsession and then turned into action.
It's pretty straight forward: I'll spend $50 per month, or more if I'm rich that month, on reusable mugs. I'll give them out to friends, co-workers, strangers standing in line for coffee. And we'll see what happens.
Last year I bought a reusable water container and made a commitment to carry it with me and lay off the plastic water bottles. Then, I did the same with coffee. I drink coffee every single day and that usually meant picking one up on the way to work. So I bought myself a travel coffee mug and decided that if I didnt remember to bring my mug with me, I didnt get coffee that day. Simple. My dependence on coffee is severe enough that carrying a travel mug around is a small price to pay.
Then the idea just grew from there. How about I buy a mug for my girlfriend and she stops using paper cups? What if I buy more mugs, and give them out to my friends? What if I don't stop there, and give the mugs to strangers, encouraging them to use the mug, even just a couple times a week? Would people actually use them? And more importantly, would that make a difference? So the thought became a bit of an obsession and then turned into action.
It's pretty straight forward: I'll spend $50 per month, or more if I'm rich that month, on reusable mugs. I'll give them out to friends, co-workers, strangers standing in line for coffee. And we'll see what happens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)