Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-08-13 Origin: Site
Switching to disposable coffee cups made of compostable materials can help prevent plastic pollution. It can also increase focus on renewable sources!
Did you know that we use around 16 billion disposable coffee cups every year? A report by The Guardian confirms that and also highlights the significant environmental impact of this use. Since most disposable cups are made of plastics, they end up in landfills and oceans as waste.
The most alarming thing about that is plastics can last anywhere from a couple of decades to centuries! Now, imagine how harmful it is to our environment since it doesn’t biodegrade or compost on its own.
Moreover, a huge ton of plastic cups ends up in the ocean which is harmful to marine ecosystems and wildlife. You might recall the heartbreaking video from 2015 where a turtle had a plastic straw stuck in its nose.
With that in mind, you should take charge to rid the environment of plastics and other harmful materials used in creating disposable products. One of the best ways to do that is to adopt compostable cups that are good for household and commercial uses. Here’s more!
You will find a range of disposable takeaway coffee cups. There are different types of cups depending on the material used for their production and their application. But generally, a disposable coffee cup is made up of several components.
These include the cup, lid, print, and liner. An extra component for high-quality cups also includes a sleeve which is good for insulation and improving the grip.
●Cups
The primary component, a cup is typically made of plastic or paper. That is because these cups are for disposable usage and those materials are highly common for their recyclability.
However, the main reason why people prefer plastic cups is due to their heat resistance and durability. But better options like bioplastics and biodegradable materials are making their way into the market.
●Lids
Cup lids are often plastic and their main purpose is to prevent spills. Some lids are very good at sealing the cup-top to retain heat. Plus, they contain a sipping hole or a small opening for drinking convenience.
Although it might not appear as a distinct component, printing is a vital part of disposable cups. It mainly involves branding and labeling on cup surfaces. You will notice many company cups have logos and promotional messages on them and so do other commercial disposable coffee cups.
●Liners
Have you ever wondered why you can hold coffee cups without burning your hands? It is due to the plastic or wax liners inside the cups that act as barriers between the hot drink and the cup itself. They are also necessary for the structural integrity of the cups.
●Sleeves
Although optional, sleeves offer an additional layer of insulation to make recyclable coffee cups easy to use. They also provide a better grip for convenience and prevent the cup from getting too hot. Note, coffee cup sleeves are mainly made from corrugated cardboard or other material suitable for insulation.
There are different types of cups out there when it comes to hot beverages like coffee. In fact, you’ll easily find paper and plastic cups at your nearest coffee shops. Recently, many shops have started offering biodegradable and compostable takeaway coffee cups too.
●Paper Cups
The most common types are the paper cups. They are popular because of their biodegradability and recyclability. Despite that, there are some challenges associated with their use. For example, most paper cups have wax or plastic linings.
This usually makes recycling and composting difficult because such materials must be separate from paper. An NCBI study from 2022 also claims that separating the PE coating from paper cups is very difficult. As a result, recycling becomes a difficult objective.
●Plastic Cups
Then we have the plastic cups, the most popular options for takeaway drinks and beverages. They offer great insulation, are convenient, and come in a variety of styles. However, there is one big challenge – they are non-biodegradable.
The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development reported that only 9% of plastic ever goes through recycling. And if that wasn’t enough, we’re producing nearly twice the amount of plastic waste as two decades ago. These plastics include disposable cups which often end up in oceans and landfills, leading to pollution.
●Foam Cups
We also have foam cups that are usually made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). They offer slightly better insulation than plastic and other types of cups. However, they are also non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle.
Ironically, most people also call these hot cups because they rarely ever heat up despite how hot the beverage might be. However, an NCBI study from 2022 cited that EPS can have a lifespan of 500 years. It is because EPS is “highly resistant to natural degradation”.
●Biodegradable Cups
Moving on, we have eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable cups. These typically contain bioplastics that come from corn starch. Moreover, there are numerous varieties with the most popular ones being sugarcane fiber (bagasse) cups, wooden cups, bamboo cups, and so on.
These sustainable cups break down into organic substances either through controlled composting at industrial facilities or natural degradation processes. A recent study indicates that the growing awareness about plastic pollution has made biomaterials like sugarcane and corn starch popular choices for sustainable food packaging.
This is a comparison article between disposable cane cups and plastic cups.
●Compostable Cups
Composable cups are quite similar to biodegradable cups. However, the main difference is that while biodegradable cups might leave some residue over the decomposition process, compostable cups don’t always do that.
Instead, compostable cups made of bagasse, Polylactic Acid (PLA), and other bioplastics decompose in controlled environments. To make sure you’re getting industry-standard compostable coffee cups, check for certifications like ASTM D6400 or EN13432.
●Recyclable Cups
There is also a growing trend of recyclable coffee cups making their way into the market. These types of cups are designed for convenient use and easier collection for recycling. The main purpose of these cups is that once they are used, they go through recycling to become or form part of new products.
But there is also an increasing focus on setting up proper recycling facilities and litter collection processes. Since local recycling capabilities and material availability vary significantly, it can be difficult to adopt recyclable cups everywhere. Hence, there should be initiatives that focus on global recycling infrastructure.
Did you know that plastic accounts for nearly 80% of marine pollution? According to the UNESCO Ocean Literacy site, 8-10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. The report goes on to suggest that there are over 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic lingering in the ocean.
On the other hand, the World Economic Forum report states that if we reuse only 10% of plastics, it could reduce plastic waste that reaches the ocean by 50%.
Those are a few reasons why there is an ongoing debate about disposable packaging such as coffee cups, food containers, and so on. The global consumer markets are gaining more awareness about sustainability issues due to the use of plastic disposable cups and similar products.
You might be familiar with news and online reports about the increasing global waste. Sadly, a lot of that waste is due to plastic and that same plastic that is used for food packaging. This also includes disposable cups.
Surprisingly, the United States alone uses around 120 billion disposable cups every year according to the National News. This massive volume makes waste management a serious challenge and increases the burden of government resources to set up recycling and composting facilities.
Clever Carbon reports that one disposable coffee cup could lead to 16g of CO2. A scientific study also highlights the greenhouse gas emissions which can be around 0.11 kg or roughly 110g of CO2 per paper cup (Page 5, Section 3.1).
Another surprising environmental truth about the seemingly “sustainable” paper cups is that their manufacturing uses around 1 billion tonnes of paper every year. So, don’t we have enough paper?
Well, to produce that quantity of paper, manufacturers need around 32 million trees and around 100 billion liters of water. That’s equal to 43,000 Olympic swimming pools!
The use of natural resources to create non-biodegradable or non-recyclable products is highly damaging to the environment. While we’re depleting our natural reserves, we are also increasingly contributing toward landfill and maritime pollution.
The negative impacts of non-biodegradable and unsustainable disposable coffee cups far outweigh the benefits. Therefore, raising consumer awareness and investing in proper recycling infrastructure can help us positively contribute to the environment.
There are numerous benefits to adopting sustainable cups for takeaway coffees and other drinks. They are recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable. Of course, it would depend on the material used. But there’s more!
●Reduced Carbon Footprint
We already know that using unsustainable cup options can lead to greenhouse gas emissions. However, switching to biodegradable cups like PLA and bagasse can reduce the carbon footprint. This is because they use renewable sources and energy-efficient production methods.
●Increased Awareness about Recycling
Recyclable and compostable cups are designed to form part of the circular economy. This means that instead of going to landfills or becoming maritime pollution, these cups go through recycling to become useful materials.
●Natural Habitat and Resource Conservation
The most important impact is perhaps the conservation of natural habitats. Since paper cups use millions of trees and water every year, replacing them with sustainable alternatives can help save these resources.
The simple answer is, yes! Disposable coffee cups are recyclable and compostable. However, it would depend on the type of materials that you use to make them.
As we discussed earlier, paper cups can be difficult to recycle if they have wax or plastic lining. Similarly, if a coffee cup has similar non-biodegradable or unnatural substances, that can also make recycling or composting difficult.
Furthermore, adequate recycling requires separating contaminants like drink and beverage residues as well. Otherwise, they can lead to harmful gas emissions or negatively affect the recycling process.
To prevent these issues, you can go for compostable coffee cups. These typically contain bagasse, bioplastic, and cornstarch-based cups with specific composting requirements. They break down in industrial composting facilities and turn into organic waste.
You should check for certified industry standards and labels to make sure your cups are actually compostable. For instance, look for the ASTM D6400 or EN13432 certifications to be sure.
Now, the idea is about enhancing the functionality and practicality of disposable coffee cups using sustainable materials. There are new technologies and production methods that are facilitating the adoption of sustainable cups.
Moreover, the increasing consumer awareness about plastic pollution is playing a significant role in the movement. In fact, Grand View Research indicated that consumers are showing higher demands for sustainable food packaging options.
What’s more interesting is that many nations are banning single-use plastics, which also includes disposable plastic cups and similar products. For instance, the European Union has been actively trying to ban single-use plastics to support the move toward greener alternatives.
1. What Are the Main Benefits of Using Compostable Cups?
Most compostable cups can break down into organic waste at composting facilities. As a result, they help reduce the environmental impact.
2. Are All Disposable Coffee Cups Recyclable?
Since many paper cups have a plastic lining, recycling them without breaking down harmful substances is difficult. A good practice is always checking for specific guidelines at local recycling facilities for help.
3. Can I Use Custom Coffee Cups for Hot and Cold Drinks?
Yes! Good quality custom coffee cups are suitable for both hot and cold drinks. Discuss your cup use with the manufacturer/supplier beforehand to get the right types of cups.
4. Why Should Businesses Choose Sustainable Cups?
Adopting sustainable cups will help you align your business with eco-friendly practices. While this will lead to positive environmental contributions, it will also attract eco-conscious consumers.
Now you have a better understanding of disposable coffee cups and their role in environmental preservation. While most consumers go with plastic cups, there is a growing demand for sustainable alternatives like paper and biodegradable cups too.
These types of cups can help reduce the environmental impact in various ways. Firstly, they reduce the reliance on plastic alternatives which automatically helps in reducing the landfill and maritime pollution. Secondly, the use of compostable cups also prevents excessive greenhouse gas emissions.
Make sure you assess your needs and requirements to choose the best disposable cups for your business. After all, choosing sustainable cups can improve your business profile and make it appealing to eco-friendly consumers.
Sumkoka is one of the top sustainable tableware and packaging manufacturers in the world. Our company has an excellent range of biodegradable and compostable cups. Plus, we also offer food-safe bagasse and recyclable paper tableware.
We use premium materials to produce lasting packages like containers, cups, and bowls. Moreover, our teams have been providing expert advice and custom product solutions for nearly 12 years.
Want to test the quality of our custom coffee cups made from renewable and sturdy materials? Request a branded sample from our team today!
Sumkoka can guide you toward making sustainable decisions for your business’s tableware and disposable packaging needs. Contact us today!
