![]() ![]() Plastic lids are often made with polypropylene, or plastic #5. But just like the disposable paper cups, they come with their own set of problems. Lids are an essential part of single-use cups to prevent spills and burns. (More on that below) What About the Lids? There are alternatives in compostable coffee cups that are lined with a biofilm called PLA. If a plastic-lined paper coffee cup is composted, it will contaminate the finished compost with microplastics and potentially toxic chemicals. While the paper on its own can be composted, that plastic lining makes it impossible to do that. Because plastic coatings contaminate the post-consumer paper material, roughly 99.75% of coffee cups can’t be recycled. ![]() In the U.S., and around the world, most recycling programs are NOT capable of processing any plastic-coated cups or containers. But coffee cups are able to contain hot liquids is because they’re typically made with plastic-lined paper. Polyethylene is a petroleum-based plastic, requiring thousands of barrels of oil to line our paper cups every single year.īeyond the fossil fuel requirements, single-use plastics present another issue: proper disposal.Īre Paper Coffee Cups Recyclable or Compostable?īecause they are made with paper, you may incorrectly assume you can recycle paper cups. Even if the cups aren’t made with the environmental villain Styrofoam, paper cups are often lined with equally problematic plastics.ĭisposable coffee cups typically have a plastic resin, or polyethylene, lining. What are Paper Coffee Cups Made Of?ĭisposable coffee cups are made with a range of materials. While paper may seem innocent enough when it enters a landfill, its plastic lining makes a degradable material much more problematic. As one of the biggest coffee chains, Starbucks alone is responsible for roughly 7 billion cups a year. it’s estimated that we throw away more than 50 billion paper coffee cups with lids every year. ![]() However, when our hot beverages come in throw-away coffee cups, our planet suffers the environmental impact.Īnnually, roughly 600 billion paper and plastic cups are used worldwide, according to the International Coffee Organization. There’s nothing quite like a hot coffee or tea. How Many Paper Coffee Cups are Produced Every Year? This article will explore some of the main problems with paper coffee cups, and also suggest some alternatives. This means they’re not eco-friendly at all. However, many paper products like cups, bowls, and plates are lined with plastic. When it comes to the paper vs plastic debate, many environmentalists would consider paper the clear winner. Why Are Paper Coffee Cups Bad for the Environment? ![]()
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