A new county-wide awareness campaign is encouraging people across Cork to rethink how they enjoy their daily coffee – by taking a moment to sit in with a ceramic cup whenever possible, or by bringing a reusable cup when they’re on the go.
Real Cup. Real Cork is a new public awareness campaign led by Sustainability in Cork Alliance and funded by Cork County Council. The initiative highlights the simple actions that can significantly reduce single-use cup waste while creating opportunities to slow down, connect with locals, and enjoy a more mindful coffee experience.
Every year, thousands of single-use coffee cups are discarded across County Cork. While convenient, these cups are difficult to recycle due to their plastic lining and often end up as waste. The campaign encourages people to make one small change that can have a lasting environmental impact.
The campaign’s message is simple: ‘Real Cup. Real Cork. Sit In. Slow Down. Remember your Cup.’
Whether it’s taking ten minutes to enjoy a coffee in a ceramic mug or remembering a reusable cup before leaving the house, every choice helps reduce unnecessary waste while supporting a more sustainable Cork.
Speaking about the campaign, Cathy Fitzgibbon aka The Culinary Celt, from Sustainability in Cork Alliance said: “Small changes made by thousands of people can have a significant collective impact. By choosing a ceramic cup when sitting in, or remembering a reusable cup when taking coffee away, we can all help reduce waste while supporting a cleaner, more sustainable County Cork.”
Sofia Kalfa, Managing Partner at Fzin Coffee, from the Alliance said: “We all have a lot of reusable coffee cups at home, and we’re hoping through this campaign it will remind people to remember their reusable cups before leaving the house, with this simple message; keys, phone, reusable cup.”
The campaign also recognises the role of cafés, coffee shops and hospitality businesses throughout County Cork that continue to support reusable options and encourage customers to reduce waste.
The campaign will run across social media, participating cafés and community networks, encouraging residents and visitors alike to embrace the simple habit of choosing a real cup whenever they can.
CAMPAIGN MESSAGES
- Sit in when you can and enjoy your coffee in a ceramic cup.
- If you’re on the go, remember your reusable cup.
- Every reusable cup helps reduce unnecessary single-use waste.
- Small everyday choices make a real difference for Cork’s environment.
The Real Cup. Real Cork campaign is funded by Cork County Council.
