What are the alternatives to paper cups?
Plastic
There are many options when it comes to disposable cups. There are paper cups, plastic cups, and foam cups. Foam cups are made from expanded polystyrene or polypropylene. Plastic cups, on the other hand, are usually made of polypropylene or polystyrene.
Many disposable cups are made from recycled materials. This is a good thing for the environment because it reduces the amount of waste buried in landfills. They are also less expensive to produce. Reusable cups also have a longer life, which is an environmental benefit.
Paper cups are more environmentally friendly than plastic cups. They are recyclable, but are not compostable. Because they are not biodegradable, plastic cups contribute to plastic pollution in landfills. Most paper cups are coated with polyethylene, which prevents them from being composted. Currently, only two facilities exist in the UK that can recycle PE-coated cups. The rest of the cups end up in landfills or incinerated.
Paper cups are made from 90-95% paper and 5% plastic. The plastic coating makes them waterproof and helps to retain heat and shape. While this is an important feature of paper cups, it can be problematic if your liquid is extremely hot or cold.
Paper
Paper cups are a type of disposable cup. They are often lined with wax or plastic to prevent leakage of liquids. They may also be made of recycled paper. They are used worldwide and have a number of advantages. They are recyclable and often come in a variety of colors. You can recycle your paper cups, which makes them environmentally friendly.
Many coffee shops and fast food chains sell paper cups for their drinks. They are also commonly found in local grocery stores. They are also great for home parties and picnics. Unlike plastic or metal cups, paper cups are easy to customize. You can choose a design that matches your taste, or even choose a design that's completely different from the rest of your wares.
Despite these advantages, paper cups are not completely sustainable. Their plastic coating clogs up the filters in paper mills. Luckily, some countries have begun recycling paper cups and are implementing programs to encourage recycling.
Plasticized paper
There are a number of options for plasticized paper cups. Many of them are bio-based. For example, PLA is a biodegradable plastic that is produced by bacteria fermenting starches. It can be applied to cups using standard extrusion equipment. Bio-based plastics are biodegradable and can be recycled in both industrial and residential settings. They also offer barrier properties that are effective in a variety of papers. However, they must be applied properly to avoid pinholes or air bubbles.
Another option is a coating made of super-platy clays. These particles contain up to 70% vegetable oil and are 0.1 to 0.15 microns in diameter. These coatings have similar properties to PE-coated paper cups and can be used as a top coating in multilayered designs.
The problem with these cups is that they are not 100% recyclable. Only a small portion of them can be recycled, due to the polyethylene coating. These cups are usually not compostable because of contamination concerns. Further, because most of them are made from virgin paper, there are only two facilities that are able to recycle PE-coated cups. The rest are sent to landfills or incinerated.