RESEARCH / EVIDENCE BEFORE CLAIMS
Reuse is a system.
A cup is just the start.
Manufacturing, washing, transport and return rates all matter. We’re keeping environmental performance separate from cost and litter reduction.
What life-cycle studies tell us ↗
A review of ten studies: climate break-even varies widely with materials, washing and disposal. No universal reuse threshold.
02 / COTTAFAVA ET AL. · 2021Break-even depends on the conditions ↗
A peer-reviewed comparison shows climate benefits and water impacts can point in different directions. Its washing scenario is not a Tampa forecast.
03 / WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTWashing choices change the result ↗
Regional lifecycle modeling highlights repeated use, efficient washing and collection transport. Transfer assumptions with care.
04 / BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · 2025 REPORTRace waste can be measured ↗
The organizer reports 7.7 tons of course cups diverted to compost. A large-event example, not a cups-per-runner benchmark for our 5K.
05 / BOULDERTHON · ORGANIZER REPORTReusable cups on a real course ↗
A reusable-cup program with Hiccup offers an operational example. Self-reported results do not establish ClimateStride’s net savings.
Explore the measurement plan
Read the reusable-cup evaluation, cost assumptions and pilot measurement plan.
Full evaluation & measurement plan ↗← Back to the project