Starbucks is tackling the problem of trash from disposable cups with a new offering, a $1 reusable tumbler, which is available across the USA and Canada starting today, January 4. Owners of the new tumbler, which visually resembles the iconic Starbucks paper cup with the brand’s green logo, will have a discount each time they refill it. According to USA Today, the environmentally friendly tumbler “pays for itself after 10 uses.

Social gaming company Zynga has launched its holiday philanthropic campaign, which connects virtual and real world. It kicked off “Oh, What Fun!” initiative, which helps to collect money for buying toys for children from less fortunate families in the USA. The new campaign invites gamers to contribute to the cause while playing their favourite online games—from November 28 to December 31, all the money from in-game purchase price will be donated to Toys for Tots (players’ purchases are not tax-deductible).

Diesel has announced some plans for the upcoming year. The brand is teaming up with the EDUN label founded by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, a global fashion brand bringing about positive change through its trading relationship with Africa,” to launch a new collaborative collection in spring 2013. So far, the brands do not say much about the new line, but considering Diesel’s braveness and EDUN’s Africa-benefitting philosophy, the denim range is expected to combine a creative twist and a social/eco conscious approach.

Samsung is tackling the problem of lack of education in Africa in a simple but stunning and inspiring way. The tech company launched its Samsung’s Internet Schools Programme, which brings “technology-rich learning and teaching” K-12 classrooms to distant and rural regions of the countries. Through the initiative, the brand aims to foster education in poorest regions using the most cost-efficient, but effective and sustainable technologies—the new classrooms are opened in old shipping solar-powered renovated containers.