Progessive Coffee Shops

Coffee shops are often considered the trendiest places in America. From their customers to their music, coffee shops seem to try to keep on the edge of all newer movements in society. Because of this, it makes perfect sense that coffee shops are "going green" across the nation.

In an effort to reduce the amount of thrown out materials, many smaller coffee shops are asking their customers whether they would like their order for "here or to go." For those who dictate their desire to drink their beverage within the coffee shop their drink is delivered in a ceramic mug, thus leaving one less cup thrown away at the end of the day. In addition to reducing the amount of thrown away coffee cups, this "ceramic mug style" of service often adds greatly to the customer's overall coffee shop experience, giving him a more of an "at home" feeling within the store. All in all, both customers and the earth win with this arrangement.

Other coffee shops (such as Starbucks) are boasting of their "100% recycled" napkins and other paper products. These generally are printed on light brown/earth toned napkins, serving as both a friendly reminder to take care of the earth and as a simple tone that blends well into the color scheme of any coffee shop. Although simple in appearance, these inconspicuous napkins are certainly a great indicator of how such an establishment is striving to take better care of the earth and serve its customers in a "greener" manner.

Finally, other smaller coffee shops are actually taking the "reuse and recycle" thought to an even further extent than Starbucks. One such coffee shop taking this earth friendly measure is The Coffee House on Cherry Street, a local favorite for anyone in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. This relatively small (but always busy) coffee shop is located in downtown Tulsa and has taken a unique stand in the environmental approach to serving their customers. Instead of issuing out small punch cards (like many coffee shops do in order to reward their customers for purchasing every ten beverages or so), The Coffee Shop on Cherry Street has had the brilliant idea to combine their "punch cards" with their cardboard drink warmers/holder. Customers are encouraged to save these drink holders and bring them back every time they visit the coffee shop. This way they can serve as both "punch cards" (cashiers make a mark on them every time a beverage is purchased) and drink holders/warmers. Although a simple plan, The Coffee Shop on Cherry Street is certainly revolutionary in their approach to being earth friendly in this simple "do it yourself" recycling scheme.