This website uses cookies to improve your experience navigating our site. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OK, I understand

Homes Art Architecture Creative People Family Podcast Films News On the Market

All Stories

Homes
Gardens
Art
Architecture
Creative People
Food
Shopping
Travel
Victorian Coastal Renovated Architectural Apartment Mid Century Minimalist Family Homes Country Tiny
Vegetable Garden Suburban Garden Public Garden Small Garden Country Garden
Indigenous Art
Graphic Design Floristry Illustration Jewellery Indigenous Art Textiles Interior Design Craft Industrial Design Woodwork Quoted Furniture Art Styling Architecture Lighting Photography Ceramics
Gluten Free Lunch Dinner Snack Salad Vegetarian Breakfast Sweets
Lighting Furniture TDF Shop Kids Art Rugs Jewellery Craft Tableware Accessories Plants + Flowers Gifts Ceramics Soft Furnishings

About

About Contributors Contact Advertising Frequently Asked Questions

Homes

Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.

ALL
Apartment
Architectural
Coastal
Country
Family Homes
Mid Century
Minimalist
Renovated
Tiny
Victorian

Art

Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.

ALL
Indigenous Art

Architecture

Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.

ALL

Creative People

Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.

ALL
Studio Visit
Extraordinary Routines
Dream Job
Small Business
Family
Regional
-
Architecture
Art
Ceramics
Craft
Floristry
Furniture
Graphic Design
Illustration
Indigenous Art
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Jewellery
Lighting
Photography
Quoted
Styling
Textiles
Woodwork

Family

How Australia’s most inspiring creatives balance career and family. The juggle is real!

ALL

Podcast

ALL

Films

ALL

News

ALL

On the Market

ALL

All Stories

Homes
Gardens
Art
Architecture
Creative People
Food
Shopping
Travel
Victorian Coastal Renovated Architectural Apartment Mid Century Minimalist Family Homes Country Tiny
Vegetable Garden Suburban Garden Public Garden Small Garden Country Garden
Indigenous Art
Graphic Design Floristry Illustration Jewellery Indigenous Art Textiles Interior Design Craft Industrial Design Woodwork Quoted Furniture Art Styling Architecture Lighting Photography Ceramics
Gluten Free Lunch Dinner Snack Salad Vegetarian Breakfast Sweets
Lighting Furniture TDF Shop Kids Art Rugs Jewellery Craft Tableware Accessories Plants + Flowers Gifts Ceramics Soft Furnishings

About

About Contributors Contact Advertising Frequently Asked Questions

Homes

Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.

ALL
Apartment
Architectural
Coastal
Country
Family Homes
Mid Century
Minimalist
Renovated
Tiny
Victorian

Art

Studio visits with Australia’s top artists, and unmissable art exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.

ALL
Indigenous Art

Architecture

Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.

ALL

Creative People

Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.

ALL
Studio Visit
Extraordinary Routines
Dream Job
Small Business
Family
Regional
-
Architecture
Art
Ceramics
Craft
Floristry
Furniture
Graphic Design
Illustration
Indigenous Art
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Jewellery
Lighting
Photography
Quoted
Styling
Textiles
Woodwork

Family

How Australia’s most inspiring creatives balance career and family. The juggle is real!

ALL

Podcast

ALL

Films

ALL

News

ALL

On the Market

ALL
Homes Gardens Art Architecture Creative People Food Family TDF Films Podcast News Shopping Travel On the Market Design Awards
Hi there, like what
you see? Sign up to
our mailing list.
(Receive our top Story Every Weekday)
OR
('Best of the Week' Highlights Every Friday)

TDF Talks With KeepCup Co-Founder Abigail Forsyth

Podcast

KeepCup is the world’s first barista-standard re-usable coffee cup. Over the past 10 years, this Melbourne-based company has driven incredible awareness around the re-use movement, and they’ve saved billions (literally) of disposable cups from ending up in landfill.

Though they have offices and warehouses in London and Los Angeles, KeepCup’s head office is right here in Fitzroy!  I recently stopped by for an inspiring chat with co-founder and managing director Abigail Forsyth. The accomplished lawyer-turned-businesswoman reflected on the incredible growth of her business, and her next big challenge – advocacy and activism!

2nd May, 2019

KeepCup’s Managing Director Abigail Forsyth. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

KeepCup grew from 45 to 90 staff in 2018. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

Members of the KeepCup team. Though the business began in 2007, it was another two years before the product hit the market, during which time they invested in hiring external expertise. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

KeepCups in various models and vibrant colourways. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

Lucy Feagins
Thursday 2nd May 2019

After originally pursuing a career in law, Abigail Forsyth created the first KeepCup with her brother, Jamie, back in 2007. It’s hard to believe it now, but at the time, there was very little awareness around waste, and the problems with disposable packaging. And it certainly wasn’t a common sight to see anyone take a re-usable coffee cup to their local café. How things have changed!

This humble little Australian-designed product has had a profound effect on the world (I don’t get to say that as often as I would like!), so today we delve into the backstory behind it all, and where Abigail has her sights set next!

Oh, and all our podcasts come with pictures. When listening via iTunes / the Apple podcasts app, enjoy viewing relevant photographs and clicking through links while you listen!

 

Lucy Feagins
Thursday 2nd May 2019

Notes + Links

Abigail Forsyth is a judge for the Sustainable Design category of our just-announced TDF Design Awards!

Our Small Business columnist Fiona Killackey spoke to Abigail about the value of investing in external consultants in 2018 – lots of tips and inspiration here.

Find out more about KeepCup and their product range on their website and follow on Instagram @keepcup.

The last thing Abigail purchased online was this, all-natural plastic free replacement for toothpaste! (we’re intrigued!)

This is our 27th TDF Talks podcast, check all the others out here.

This Week

Fashion

The Social Studio Celebrates 10 Years With An Art Scarf Fundraiser

Melbourne’s beloved social enterprise launches an incredible Art Scarf auction fundraiser, alongside a star-studded gala.
Miriam McGarry

News

The MPavilion 2019 Is Unveiled

You are invited to celebrate the launch of Glenn Murcutt’s sleek design, and the upcoming summer program of events.
Miriam McGarry

A Japanese Inspired California Bungalow

Diverse architectural influences inspire this creative renovation in Elwood, by Splinter Society.
Amelia Barnes

Homes

A Home Fit For A Ceramics Queen!

Irina Rybakov of pépite shares her pottery filled Northcote home.
Lucy Feagins

News

Celebrating 21 Years Of Megan Park

One of Australia’s most beloved fashion designers reflects on 21 years of elegant, timeless and ethical fashion with a self published book...
Sasha Aarons

News

Shop All Your Favourite Ceramicists This Weekend At The Melbourne Ceramics Market!

Our favourite ceramics event is happening again November 16-17. 
Amelia Barnes

Architecture

A Tiny Barn Addition To A Coastal Family Home

See inside this creative extension of a NSW Central Coast family home by Fabric Architecture.
Amelia Barnes

News

Join An In Conversation With Superstar Stylist Simone Haag!

Get your tickets for this Q&A hosted by Lucy Feagins, where Simone will discuss her styling career, current trends, and her work for the...
Sponsored

Art

Painting Birdsong With Nyangulya Katie Nalgood

The bright and brilliant exhibition ‘Jalmarra-jarti, All the birds have wings’ at Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin.
Miriam McGarry

Stays

A Former Pub Transformed Into Tasmania’s Newest Boutique Accommodation

Book your stay at Ship Inn Stanley – a beautiful reinvention of an 1849 former pub – now open on Tasmania’s north-west coast.
Amelia Barnes

News

Get Framed, Limited-Edition Images By Leading Photographers Delivered To Your Door

Hanging beautiful art in your home has never been easier thanks to Format Editions.
Amelia Barnes

Vegetable Garden

A Suburban Backyard Turned Thriving Permaculture Garden

Ben Shaw's permaculture garden is an edible paradise in the heart of suburbia.
Georgina Reid

News

Get ALL Your Christmas Shopping Sorted At Cibimas!

One of our favourite stores is hosting their famous Christmas shopping night in Collingwood this week. Merry CIBIMAS!
Miriam McGarry

Sustainable Homes

A Coastal Home That Treads Lightly On The Earth

Making green glamorous in the 10 Star Home by The Sociable Weaver and Clare Cousins Architects in Cape Paterson.
Lucy Feagins

Interiors

Australia's Best Designed Bars, Restaurants and Hotels Announced!

The best bar, restaurant and hotel design announced at the Eat, Drink, Design awards last night in Melbourne.
Lucy Feagins

View Comments

More Podcasts

Podcast

TDF Talks @Mercedes me With Joost Bakker

A live podcast of Lucy's candid conversation with the visionary no-waste crusader and designer.
Lucy Feagins
40:47

Podcast

TDF Talks With Travel Photographer Kara Rosenlund

An inspiring chat with the Brisbane-based photographer, author, stylist and businesswoman.
Lucy Feagins
01:01:05

Podcast

TDF Talks With Chef-Turned-Sustainable-Farmer Paul West

A surprisingly hilarious chat with the River Cottage Australia host, covering his atypical career path, and his philosophies on living a mor...
Lucy Feagins

The Design Files original content and photos are copyright protected. Please email us before re-posting our content elsewhere. Feel free to share our images on Pinterest using the credit ‘via thedesignfiles.net’. Thank you!

About Advertising Contributors Contact Archive FAQ
Code by PDA