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Biodegradable Coffee Cups Embedded With Seeds Grow Into Trees When Thrown Away
A creative company in California called Reduce. Reuse. Grow has designed a coffee cup that is not only biodegradable but even has seeds in its walls so that it can be planted and grown into tree saplings and flowers!
The eco-friendly cups, which are currently part of a Kickstarter campaign, will have seeds embedded in their walls based on their locations. Participating stores will encourage people to plant the cups themselves or to return them to be planted by the company.
Read on for designer Alex Henige’s answers to some of Bored Panda’s questions about his unique design cups!
More info: planttrash.com | Kickstarter (h/t: laughingsquid)
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“We have such a diverse ecosystem here that we can test over 1000 species pretty much all in our backyard with some of the world’s leading soil scientists, and eco gurus,” Alex Henige explained to Bored Panda. “This is where we will work out all the details and be able to start testing growing plants of other regions to make the process run smoother.”
“We have done testing with only a handful of native wildflower seeds here in California as related to coffee heat. We have had no problem with their germination because they are not coming in direct contact with the coffee itself.”
“The liner, as well as the paper, absorbs a lot of the heat, allowing the seeds not to be effected directly.”
“We do know that there are a handful of seeds that will make it no problem, due to the nature in which they are meant for in the wild, very hardy and durable. However, with a majority of the seeds, it will take time to really lock in the temperatures and times exposed to these temps to all operate and germinate properly.”
“This is a product I stand behind fully, and I look forward to seeing where and how this smart invention develops within the next couple of months!.”
We’d like to thank Alex Henige from the Reduce. Reuse. Grow team for answering Bored Panda’s questions!
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What do you think ?
CharlieKamer 10 years ago
This would be a great promotion for Starbucks to pick up on, use there coffee cups to plant in the neighborhood....
yseta46 10 years ago
and PEET'S. and DUTCH BROS. and all the other coffee moguls.
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ClaireManuell 10 years ago
Great idea BUT as a land manager in Australia, let's make sure that well-meaning companies research first - NO EXOTIC WEEDS PLEASE
SoniaEinersen 10 years ago
It does state that seeds are different depending on the location
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SheriSaperstein 10 years ago
I love this idea, but not sure tree seeds are practical. Perhaps wildflower seeds would be better. Or even just something healthy for soil
SheaSandy 10 years ago
Like the video says, the seeds vary depending on location. Some are wild flowers, some are trees, all have instructions. Watch video.
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JaneBremmer 10 years ago
Cute! But not reduce or reuse! Why not just provide reusable cups. You can dress up a disposable cup however you like. Its still disposable!
ThomasBlackburn 10 years ago
There is already a market in reusable cups. Disposable cups are still the main vessel for companies providing hot beverages.
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Celso Domene 7 years ago
Paper isn’t biodegradable, paper is water soluble. The cellullose is made with caustic soda, no bacteria can eat this.... Don’t confuse disapearing with biodegradation.
CharlieKamer 10 years ago
This would be a great promotion for Starbucks to pick up on, use there coffee cups to plant in the neighborhood....
yseta46 10 years ago
and PEET'S. and DUTCH BROS. and all the other coffee moguls.
Load More Replies... ClaireManuell 10 years ago
Great idea BUT as a land manager in Australia, let's make sure that well-meaning companies research first - NO EXOTIC WEEDS PLEASE
SoniaEinersen 10 years ago
It does state that seeds are different depending on the location
Load More Replies... SheriSaperstein 10 years ago
I love this idea, but not sure tree seeds are practical. Perhaps wildflower seeds would be better. Or even just something healthy for soil
SheaSandy 10 years ago
Like the video says, the seeds vary depending on location. Some are wild flowers, some are trees, all have instructions. Watch video.
Load More Replies... JaneBremmer 10 years ago
Cute! But not reduce or reuse! Why not just provide reusable cups. You can dress up a disposable cup however you like. Its still disposable!
ThomasBlackburn 10 years ago
There is already a market in reusable cups. Disposable cups are still the main vessel for companies providing hot beverages.
Load More Replies... Celso Domene 7 years ago
Paper isn’t biodegradable, paper is water soluble. The cellullose is made with caustic soda, no bacteria can eat this.... Don’t confuse disapearing with biodegradation.
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