Heading Down the Path to Common Good

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Naked Civics
November 21st, 2011

Credit: Seakiam/WikiMedia

There is a point on the path to great change in which an inspired idea merges with good design. When the fusion of these two concepts occurs, public policy results can come into fruition without the sometimes-messy inclusion of the government.

GOOD Magazine is one of the greatest resources out there for all things awesome, and while getting my last fix of culture, I came across this fantastic article by Sarah Laskow.

Photo from bostinnovation.com

It’s about making disposable coffee cups, which we are all guilty of using (and therefore tossing), greener by ridding them of the plastic lid. It’s a simple idea, really. This new design – called Compleat Cups and created by Peter Herman – is made out of the same material of the ones we are all familiar with, and in place of a petroleum-based plastic lid, the cup itself folds into a spout-like formation.

To get a good idea of the cup’s design and theory, check out this piece in the Boston Globe (off of which the GOOD article was based).

Why this is cool: Because even the Mother Theresas of the green scene forget their reusable mugs and need a cuppa joe sometimes.

Why this will work: Because even Hummer-drivers and non-recyclers will be caught with eco-friendly coffee cups in their hands.

This movement embodies everything Naked Civics supports – great design (and a cunning, eager mind behind it) creating common good without having to lay down the law. While it’s not resulting in a 100 percent sustainable cup, it’s an improvement, and in order to make it to the end of the path, one must take steps.

If you want to see more by Sarah Laskow head over to her website here, and for daily finds related to the environment, community and education, check out the Naked Civics Facebook page.

{Source: Naked Civics]

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