If the primary reason for this is the emissions from increased energy requirements, then we can find ways to reduce this load by (as the article suggests) using renewable energy sources, which has the additional effect of reducing the load of all of our energy usage.

But plastic entering the environment is forever there. The very concept of single-use plastics is anathema to the environmental movement. I think any article that encourages their usage is suspect. For instance, this is exactly the sort of piece I could see being pushed by Keurig PR.

> benefits could be lost if their convenience encourages two cups instead of one

Who is only drinking a single cup of coffee? When we stay at my parents' house, what would have been a single pot of coffee becomes six or more single use plastic cups going into the trash.