Another feasible solution has been proposed by Frugalpac, who have patented a cup with a lightly-attached plastic lining. This can be easily separated during the recycling and ‘offers a more pragmatic solution' than changing our current recycling habits, says Frugalpac’s founder Martin Myerscough.

Safia Qureshi says India has provided the inspiration for her solution. She puts forward that we use returnable and reusable cups, which are tracked and collected by her company Cup Club. They will be responsible for collecting, washing and redistributing the clean cups to participating retailers.

One final example of lateral thinking comes from Cupffee. This trio from Bulgaria have combined cereals to form a cup which can be eaten once the drink is finished. It is apparently sweet and crisp, can hold a coffee for up to 40 minutes and will biodegrade within weeks.

Whether any of these innovative ideas are a perfect fit for this disposable issue, only time will tell. It’s possible that a more viable solution has yet to be ventured, though it may not be long in coming. All it may require is a little more thinking outside the box… or should that be coffee cup?

词汇表 hitch 小问题

in theory 理论上

obstacle 障碍

throw a spanner in the works 从中捣乱，打乱计划

tackle 解决，处理

issue 问题

come up with 提出、想出（主意）

【The problem with disposable coffee 外带咖啡纸杯的“回收难题”】相关文章：

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★ Bus for homeless, urban bees 流浪者入住公共汽车、蜜蜂的城市庇护所

★ Rolling in it 财源滚滚，腰缠万贯

★ White / blue-collar worker 白领，蓝领

★ A matter of waste 废物回收一两事

★ Art and football 海底发现文物，莱斯特城足球俱乐部曼谷庆功

★ Cosmonaut anniversary and wallaby internet star 宇航员周年纪念日，小袋鼠轰动互联网

★ The problem-solving prizes 为鼓励创新和解决问题设置“挑战奖”

★ Let sleeping dogs lie 别惊动睡着的狗

★ Lunchtime dilemma 午饭时间的“选择困难症”