[pfranz]

Just my opinion, but compostable doesn't make that great of a product in a lot of places they're being pushed. I've seen a bunch of places switch to compostable silverware and cups. The silverware is a lot less durable than plastic (which is already a low bar) and coffee lids don't fit properly. One place I frequent uses them and I constantly hear others complain and discover this for themselves. I sound like an old man, but I am often very explicit about getting a mug of coffee when I order, but a different person fulfills the order and often puts it in a compostable cup.

Poor products turns people off to that technology and discourages me from ordering coffee.

[jogjayr]

They're also only compostable in commercial composting facilities. And most people live in cities where there isn't any curbside composting program to send these materials to commercial composting facilities. See my other comment in this same thread for more details.

[icebraining]

Arguably, being annoying is a feature, not a bug; we want to discourage single-use packaging and get people to bring their own reusable containers.

[pfranz]

I was trying to think of a way to write my first comment without coming across as insensitive to the environment. I much prefer the cheapest reusable containers to most expensive disposable. I believe it's common for people in Japan to carry their own towels to dry their hands. I think it's becoming more common for people in China and Japan to carry their own cutlery. I hope that catches on.

My preference would be to get coffee in a mug, which they offer (afaik they don't offer byo containers), but due to whatever other incentives (poor communication between workers when ordering or not wanting to wash a dish) I often get a compostable disposable cup.

[icebraining]

FWIW, I didn't think your comment was insensitive; mine was about the population in general, not targeted at you.