Many Kiwis are trying to reduce their coffee cup waste, but are forgetting to take their reusable cups with them.

But we think we have the answer – a steel coffee cup that can be washed and returned to cafes for a $3 fee, which is refunded.

New Zealanders send an estimated 295 million cups to landfill each year. Most are used once and thrown away.

The buyer must pay $3 to "check out" a cup, which is refunded when they return the cup to any cafe participating.

Market research showed just 3.4 per cent of people said they wouldn't use a reusable cup if it were available, while 83 per cent said they would pay a deposit if they knew it would be refunded.

We need to keep our plant clean and healthy, for our own survival. 

With China not taking our rubbish any more we are now responsible for our own waste.