58 billion paper cups are thrown into our landfill each year but this is about to change with the help of a cute and lovable paper cup called Papel.
Papel’s creator Brynn Evans has designed this quirky little comic character in conjunction with Betacup U.S.A. in the hope of changing our relationship with the humble cuppa. When asked how the idea of Papel paper cup came along Brynn stated that firstly she was flattered that anyone should be so interested in Papel.
“The idea of Papel came along when I realised I needed to make the issue of paper cups and landfill accessible to people,” she said “ You buy coffee but you very rarely think of it from the cups perspective”
In his comic, which can be found on Brynn’s blog (
http://brynnevans.com/ ), Papel leaves the warehouse where he is brought up, finds himself in a coffee shop, brought by a consumer, drank from and then tossed into landfill. When it was suggested to Brynn that Papel was a lovable character that children would adore she could be seen blushing, stating she had never thought about it.
“But thinking about it children are the future of all our environmental issues” she said “It is so important that our kids know how to react and respond accordingly”
So what are the goals for Papel? Further comics, video’s, screensavers, dolls maybe?
“I haven’t really thought much about it” says Brynn “Like I said Papel was just an idea that came about. Maybe there is room for Raquel, Papel’s cousin. There is plenty of room for more comics. I visualise something to do with the decisions people make. A situation similar to ground hog day where one repeats a day where they leave there reusable cup at home and find themselves getting Papel for convenience”
Brynn Evans, a PhD student, digital anthropologist, design research consultant and writer, volunteers as a user experience consultant and researcher for the betacup initiative. Their goal is to redesign the reusable coffee mug to better align with people's coffee drinking practices. Betacup are involving the community in its initiative to help the environment by asking people to share their relationship with the cuppa. They are also holding a two fold competition - idea and design, prototype construction - to encourage communities to help solve the landfill issue by designing a reusable coffee cup. This is currently a US initiative with Betacup seeking relationships with Australian manufacturers of the disposable cups. Anyone in the world can help fund this initiative by donating anything from $2 upwards which will be used as prize money. A donation of $20.00 will see you receive a commemorative cup of the winning design. Donations can be made at
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tobyd/fund-the-betacup-prize
So for Papel and his mates it is back to the shelf where they hope to live a long prosperous life as they watch the reusable cup visit time and time again.
