Coffee is a staple in the American working world. People enjoy coffee for the taste, the energy boost, and the social connotations it comes with. In fact, coffee shops rake in $12 billion in combined sales annually; that shows that it comes as no surprise how much United States residents love their coffee. However, the commuters who make a visit to their favorite coffee shop drive through do not realize the environmental impact they are making by using countless paper to go coffee cups year after year. Loving coffee is no crime against the earth, but how can we get our morning fix without leaving such a huge carbon footprint?

1. Ask your favorite coffee shop about a custom reusable cup, so you can skip the coffee shop packaging. Many shops offer patrons a thermos for purchase with that shop’s name or logo on it, so that you can save a handful of change every time you come through the drive through with your loyalty cup in hand. Not only will you be saving yourself some money, y