This is a guest post by John Simonetta, owner of Proforma Simonetta Freelance, an eco-friendly promotional items consultancy (see proformagreen.com). John’s blogs are designed to keep us up to date on the “greening” of his industry.
Debco has recently released a version of the MoMA I Am Not A Paper Cup which they are calling the DA4299 COFFEE MUG and selling at an EQP of $9.73, which is nearly half the $18.08 cost of the MoMA model. Aside from the fact the DA4299 COFFEE MUG does not come in MoMA packaging and is not printed with the MoMA logo, there is nearly no difference in quality between these two models.
Debco says their mug has all the “traditional” aspects of a paper cup, but without the waste of the cup itself.
From the Debco website, “Is there anything more soothing than holding a paper cup filled with warm coffee or tea in the car, at coffee breaks, after lunch, or even on the weekends with a newspaper or watching your child’s sporting events? Hot beverage consumption in North America is staggering – North Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups of coffee a day – and the waste that goes with it in the form of disposable paper cups is even more astounding. So what is the alternative? Give up your coffee or tea? We think not!”
I have taken our sample mugs into a few local coffee shops. In most cases no one has seen anything like them, to the extent that the mugs themselves became conversation starters. When a promotional item can start its own buzz, that it impressive.
The DA4299 COFFEE MUG is a 10 oz. porcelain mug fashioned after the traditional disposable cup and features a silicone lid and double walled construction for thermo-insulation. The mug is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. And whether this cup is used on the road, on the desk or at home, the Ecopreneurist’s advertising message will be front and center each time your client reaches for a coffee fill-up. With the holidays and cold weather around the corner, these also make exceptional gifts for employees and clients.
If you are interested in these items to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.
If you are a promotional items distributor looking for more information on the DA4299 COFFEE MUG contact Jeremy Rich at Debco.
Adventures in Green Marketing 
Dear Custmers ,
Do any one see this is a copy of the DCi who
design and sales the Moma cup , our cup
just recived a patent and we have been
stoping shipments from China every day who
deliver this low end cup .(lead was not tested on
this low end cups )
Custmers do not supprt open market copies !!
I have no idea who DCi International is, but the DEBCO cup is not some cheap copy. Debco is one of the most eco-focused manufactures in the promotion industry. If anyone has questions on the quality of this unit please contact Jeremy Rich (jeremy.rich@debcosolutions.com) at Debco.
In additional IMC is also producing this item for the promotional items market with the co-brand of the MoMA, see http://imc-miracles.com and article at http://ecopreneurist.com/2009/05/19/moma-i-am-not-a-paper-cup-available-for-promo/
Got this in email from DEBCO in response to first comment.
“Our cup is lead free, BPA Free and FDA Approved; tested to the highest standard. In addition DEBCO recently received PROP 65 compliance testing certification for this item.”
first Imc is our client
IMC is Dci client for the last 2 years with this
item
Let us know how Debco come with the idea ?
It is a copy from China ..
a copy is a copy !!!!
we got the patent on this item 3 weeks ago .
We have reporte to our lawyer of Debco
copy . Thanks for the help .
Do not supprt open market copys !!!
Update. Expect prices on the DA4299 COFFEE MUG to drop in 2010. Due to the popularity of these mugs a number of other manufactures will be producing them in 2010 including Numo Manufacturing (EQP $4.99) and The Express Line (EQP $8.99). Both of these mugs feature the option of multiple color imprint and a larger imprint area.
I expect to see even more manufactures with similar units coming to market throughout 2010.