Your choice of cups affects kitchen tidiness, waste, and convenience. Each option has its place.
Most offices do best with reusable mugs – company mugs or employees' own – plus a small stock of disposable cups for events and visitors in a hurry. The key question is who washes the mugs and when.
Reusable mugs
They cut waste and look good. You need a dishwasher or a rule that everyone washes their own mug. Keep a few spares for busy days.
Disposable cups
Handy for trainings and visitor meetings. On self-service devices such as a coffee vending machine (publisher's site), a cup may be dispensed with the drink – check whether people can use their own mug too.
Employees' own mugs
People like their own mugs, but they need somewhere to keep them. A shelf with labeled spots cuts the clutter.
FAQ
Do disposable cups need to be sorted for recycling? That depends on the cup material and local rules. Check the markings on the packaging.
How many spare mugs should we keep? Enough for your busiest day, plus a few extra.