OKAPI Reusables
Keeping Coffee Hot and the Planet Cool
“We want to encourage people to really look into the relationships they have in their life, and pick one thing, just one thing, no matter how small it is, and try to make a change towards a more sustainable future”.
— Sierra Jickling, OKAPI Reusables
In the heart of Reno, amidst the bustling streets and cafes, OKAPI Reusables offers a tangible solution to the pressing challenges of climate change. OKAPI’s reusable coffee cups represent more than mere convenience — they signify a proactive response to a critical environmental crisis. Crafted from durable stainless steel, these cups embody a commitment to combating single-use plastic waste while providing practical alternatives for a community at the forefront of environmental challenges. OKAPI’s cups are not only eco-friendly but also renowned for their ability to maintain coffee’s temperature, enhancing their appeal among environmentally conscious consumers.
The feature video focuses on the interview of Sierra Jickling, Ambassador for OKAPI Reusables in the Reno , Tahoe, Truckee area. Sierra talks about OKAPI’s motivation as a local climate solution strategy, when and how they got established, showcasing their reusable products and discussing potential avenues and challenges.
“From the perspective of cost effectiveness, some of our [partnered] cafes actually find that by offsetting some of the single-use [plastic] containers that they are using in their shop, and replacing them with durables, either Okapi or ceramic mugs, they are able to save money over time”.
— Sierra Jickling, OKAPI Reusables
OKAPI’s story is one of innovation and community empowerment, an idea that started in Portland, OR and now has expanded to San Francisco, CA. With each cup sold and every cafe partnership forged, they catalyze change, inspiring residents of Reno to rethink their consumption habits and embrace a movement toward a greener, more sustainable Reno, addressing both waste management issues and broader environmental concerns. They believe in the power of small actions to create meaningful, lasting change for both the local community and the planet as a whole. OKAPI is offering a tangible way for Reno’s residents to make a positive impact on both a local and global scale, fostering a culture of collective action in shaping a more environmentally resilient future in the face of climate adversity.
Derived from fossil fuels and designed for disposability, single-use plastics epitomize convenience at the expense of sustainability. They represent a pervasive environmental crisis, with their longevity lasting more than a millennium and their impact felt across the globe. Since the inception of plastic production in the 1950s, humans have unleashed a staggering 9.1 billion tons of plastic. Plastic production and disposal (3.4% or 1.8 billion tonnes) emit more greenhouse gases than the aviation industry (1.9%), exacerbating the climate crisis further. With over 300 million tons produced annually, half of which are single-use plastics, their intricate composition makes less than 10% of this immense volume being recycled. Consequently, these plastics end up in landfills or incinerators, where they release harmful toxins into the environment and contribute to air and water pollution.
Single-use coffee cups are intentionally crafted for a single serving before disposal, prized for their convenience, affordability, which have propelled their widespread popularity. These cups contribute significantly to the accumulation of single-use plastic waste, largely due to their construction from paper lined with plastic to ensure waterproofing. Unfortunately, most recycling facilities are unable to separate the plastic lining from the paper, rendering the cups non-recyclable. Moreover, plastic cups designed for cold beverages, often composed of polypropylene, face similar challenges with recycling. Additionally, the plastic lids commonly paired with disposable cups, typically derived from petroleum-based plastics like polypropylene or polystyrene, pose further recycling difficulties.
An infographic on plastic pollution report on the scale of human plastic waste since the material was first mass-produced in 1950. The plastic will hang around for thousands of years.
Image Source: Dailymail
In 2022, Reno was named the fastest-warming city in the US from the Climate Center, with a temperature increase of +7.7F from 1970 to 2023. Against this backdrop, the imperative to mitigate climate change impacts in Reno has become increasingly palpable, as residents grapple with the tangible consequences of rising temperatures on their environment, health, and quality of life. Single-use plastics, notorious for their contribution to environmental degradation, pose an even greater threat in a city experiencing accelerated warming. To combat such effects the state of Nevada has undertaken climate actions by investing in clean solutions.
“It is a really nice step that we can take as a company, and folks can take as the consumer to reduce the amount of waste that we end up circulating”.
— Ryley Svendsen, Barista at Coffeebar Roastery, Reno
With a user-friendly interface designed for seamless navigation, Okapi’s mobile app simplifies the process of borrowing and returning cups from any coffee shop within their network. Users can effortlessly locate participating coffee shops, borrow cups, and return them with ease, fostering a convenient and eco-friendly approach to coffee consumption. Moreover, the app offers users the added benefit of tracking their cup usage statistics, providing valuable insights into their environmental impact and encouraging sustainable habits.