I’m doing pretty well on the carbon footprint stakes (I think). I spent a year ‘compacting’ (no new clothing purchases) in the lead up to launching Exchange for Change, gave my car away at a party a couple of years ago and have been catching the bus or walking since, and aside from my air miles (which I’ll never surrender because I love travel too much) and the plasma TV I inherited from a bad breakup, my biggest source of guilt is my daily takeaway coffee cup. So, when my friend Daria gave me the gift of a Keep Cup I was stoked. It’s a bit like a kiddies cup (you know the ones with the lid with a hole to sip through) but it’s cool. Made in Australia, Keep Cups are made of recyclable propylene with a life span of four years. They are  dishwasher safe, stackable and nice to drink from. It never leaks (as long as you remember to turn the plug and seal it), takes less room than a metallic travel cup (and is definitively lighter to carry). They come in three sizes and an array of colours, so you can personalize the silicone band with your coffee preference, corporate logo or slogan. I’m wondering if the 26,000 attendees at the Copenhagen Climate Summit have thought about making the switch. Prices start at $10 for a small and you can purchase online at www.keepcup.com.au

PS. Don’t worry about that potentially embarrassing first order with your regular barista – the trend is catching on and chances are you won’t have to explain your kiddie cup!