[mattharney]

Excellent point - over 60% of the lifecycle costs of a cup are in the earlier phases (like raw materials, production, and transport).

So bringing your own cup is by FAR the best way to mitigate your own personal footprint.

[sokoloff]

Brewing coffee at home or in the office rather than driving to Starbucks is perhaps a better way. (Disregard for those who walk to Starbucks, but I suspect a lot more environmental impact happens driving to and idling in line at the drive-to Starbucks than from the cups.)