Betacup is a contest that promises $10,000 to the best design to help reduce the 58 billion paper coffee cups thrown out each year. I’ve seen a few great entries, but I think Manueldr’s Coffee Cup, pictured above, is my favorite.
It’s made from coffee grounds, pressed into a vessel by a special machine on the spot. Soy wax, a biodegradable material, would hold it together and provide a waterproof seal. Afterwards, the cup biodegrades quickly and can be added to a compost pile. [via]