Record two or more cup systems for one tea point. Include only the options you actually compare. Expected uses are a positive whole number of drinks, or missing. Missing uses, wash method or discard route on any included option keeps the group at missing assumption. Completing the rows is not a carbon figure and is not a winner.

Download the blank comparison. Use one prevention action on the waste-reduction programme without inventing a kilogram saving. Office catering swaps stay on the office guide. Bin signs stay on the office location plan. Compostable wording needs a confirmed disposal route.

Assumptions recorded is not a winner

One comparison_id covers two or more options for one tea point. include_in_comparison is yes or no. Only yes rows participate. cup_system is staff_owned_reusable, workplace_pool_reusable, disposable_paper, disposable_plastic, disposable_compostable_labelled or other.

expected_uses is a positive whole number of drinks before the cup is discarded or replaced, or missing. Zero and fractions are missing. wash_method is dishwasher_full_load, dishwasher_partial, hand_hot, hand_cold, not_washed or missing. discard_route is residual, dry_recycling_collector_confirmed, dedicated_composting_confirmed or missing. Food waste is not an allowed recorded route.

comparison_status is copied onto every row in the group: missing_assumption if any included option has missing expected uses, wash method or discard route; assumptions_recorded only when every included option is complete; not_compared if no option is included. Assumptions recorded still has no kilogram figure and no winner.

UNEP’s 2021 review of beverage-cup studies supports context-dependent results. Treat its 10 to 670 use range as that historical study range, not as this workplace’s factor. Do not compute a workplace break-even and do not infer that reusable cups never have an advantage.

Why published studies disagree

UNEP’s 2021 meta-analysis found no one-size-fits-all result. Break-evens in the reviewed studies ranged from 10 to 670 uses depending on materials, washing and end-of-life. Washing dominated reusable-cup impacts in that review. Treat that range as UNEP 2021, not as this workplace’s factor. Those studies are not averaged into a cell.

Save a copy of the blank file and type into the copy. The files are plain CSV with no formulas.

Worked example: a pool mug with missing washes

Northgate Studio is fictional. There is no winner.

Option Included assumptions Group status
Staff-owned mug 250 uses, dishwasher full load, residual Included
Workplace pool mug Uses missing, wash missing Included and incomplete
Disposable paper 1 use, not washed, residual Included

The group comparison_status is missing_assumption because the pool option is incomplete.

What this page does not finish

Do not recommend a brand. Compostable-versus-biodegradable claims stay on the claims matrix. Bin signs stay on the office location plan. Public wording still needs the Green Claims Code.