> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://tomiescuisine.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Eco-friendly products, more pricey? Flask vs takeaway - URL: https://tomiescuisine.co.uk/flasks-vs-takeaway/ - Published: 2022-05-26T19:59:29.000Z - Updated: 2022-05-26T19:59:29.000Z - Description: Do you use a flask? We love it! It reduces waste, saves money, and is hugely practical. We calculated how eco and budget-friendly using a reusable bottle could be. Let’s find out how much you can save! - Author: Hitomi - Tags: Plastic-free, Eco-friendly Tips, #post-card-avocado Today I will compare bringing a flask to buying drinks from shops. The result might be pretty obvious for some of you, but it might be news to others. Since I was a kid, I have used a vacuum flask to bring iced cold tea to school, especially during the summer in Japan. And I’ve mostly kept at it ever since. Well, storytime is over; let’s have a look together! ### Flask ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/thermos-flask-in-the-pocket-of-the-backpack.jpg) [THERMOS 4035.211.075 Ultralight Thermos Flask, White 750 ml](https://amzn.to/3MnauVT?ref=tomiescuisine.co.uk) #### Price Flask: £20 to £25 for 500ml. Tea: 100 tea bags-> £5 = 5p per tea bag Coffee: 1 bag of grounded coffee-> £5 = roughly 30p per 500ml of dripped coffee. #### Pros - You can prepare your favourite, which is much cheaper than buying it from shops. - It generates less waste. - It keeps the drink hot or cold for long hours. ### Cons - You need to spend some time preparing your drinks. - Some people might think it’s troublesome. - Not ideal if you’re in a rush. ### Drinks from coffee shops ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/paper-cup-with-paper-lid.jpg) #### Price £3 to £5 per drink #### Pros Fresh, made by professional staff. ### Cons More expensive and more waste of cups and lids. ### Note ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/thermos-bottle-on-the-outside-table-1.jpg) We love using flasks and bringing them with us. Typically we use the 500ml capacity; it’s great for a day out. We can drink whenever we want, and we don’t need to find a bin to throw rubbish. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/two-vacuum-flasks-in-the-car.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/stainless-steel-bottle-in-the-car.jpg) When we drove through France, I was happy to have them. Generally, whatever is sold in a service station is more expensive than in usual shops. We carried one for coffee, another for hot tea, and a stainless steel bottle with cold-brewed tea for the two of us. Therefore we didn’t need to buy any drinks! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/tea-from-the-bottle-with-laptop.jpg) Another good thing about the Thermos is that we can keep the temperature longer. I am a slow drinker, and most of the time, when I serve coffee in a mug, I end up with cold coffee halfway through. Then I remembered that my mother used to make coffee and keep it in a large Thermos for everyone to have during the day. So now, when I am having coffee, I pour it into a flask and have a hot coffee anytime I want. Of course, I don’t need to reheat, so it saves some (a little) energy! ## Result: Flask, ftw! ### Example We get coffee **five days a week** to bring to work or school. I usually prepare an americano for myself, and buying a large americano (between 450ml \~ 500ml) from a coffee shop in England is around **£3**. One coffee: **£3** Weekly: **£15** Yearly: **£810** (**£726** if you don’t count holidays) *((3\*5)\*54)-(3\*28) = £726* On the other hand, if you make your coffee at home and bring it with your flask, the first investment is £25, then making roughly 30p coffee, but let’s say it’s 50p for the energy cost. One flask: **£25** One coffee: **50p** (includes ground coffee & energy cost) Weekly: **£2.5** Yearly: **£135** (**£121** if you don’t count the holidays) *(0.5\*5)\*54 = 135* *((0.5\*5)\*54)-(0.5\*28) = 121* Even if we add up the cost of the flask for the first year, it’s still much cheaper than buying a cup of coffee from a shop. I have been using mine since the winter of 2020, so it’s been more than a year, but I’ve not had any problems, and I am sure that I can use it even longer. [THERMOS 4035.211.075 Ultralight Thermos Flask, White 750 ml](https://amzn.to/3MnauVT?ref=tomiescuisine.co.uk) ## Closing words ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/11/df/11dfbd1c-fe62-41b4-867f-0cd991a08e6e/content/images/2022/05/putting-tea-bag-in-the-bottle.jpg) Sometimes it’s annoying to make your drink. It doesn’t need to be every day. Using your reusable bottles instead of buying them makes a difference in your waste and money. Or bring your bottle to a shop to fill it; they often offer a discount. I don’t see any problem with reusable bottles. We talked about eco and budget-friendly products for three posts in a row, but the next blog post is back to recipes! I will continue to look for eco and budget-friendly products and share them with you guys! Please share your thoughts on[ Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tomiescuisine/?ref=tomiescuisine.co.uk),[ Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/tomiescuisine/%5Fcreated/?ref=tomiescuisine.co.uk), and[ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tomiescuisine/). It may also help other people make the switch to plastic-free! If you're not already, [subscribe to our email list](https://tomiescuisine.co.uk/#/portal/signup/free), so you don’t miss our updates.