Paper Takeaway Cups ARE NOT Eco-Friendly

You’ve probably found yourself reaching for a coffee, a coke or any other drink to always carry with you. Most of the time it is delivered to you in a paper cup because now everyone thinks that paper is eco-friendly but Paper Takeaway Cups ARE NOT Eco-Friendly

We’ll explain it to you! That cup handed to you every morning has a plastic lining! And it’s this characteristic that assures its watherproofness but, at the same time, makes it impossible to recycle!

Takeaway cups, commonly used for coffee and other hot drinks, seem like a sustainable choice. Actually, behind this apparent convenience, significant challenges related to sustainability and recycling are hidden.

In this article, we will explore the complexities of this common item, analyzing the materials involved and the implications for the environment, providing more complete data and perspectives.

Material Analysis

Takeaway cups are generally composed of three main elements: the paper body, the plastic lid, and a thin layer of another type of plastic that ensures waterproofing. While it may seem that these cups are easily recyclable, the problem lies in the fact that the presence of this plastic layer makes them difficult, if not impossible, to recycle.

The thin celluloid film in takeaway cups is responsible for a significant environmental impact. This additional layer makes the cups non-biodegradable and difficult to dispose of properly. As a result, many of these cups end up in landfills, contributing to waste management issues and environmental pollution.

This protective layer is commonly made with polylactic acid (PLA), a form of bioplastic, which once attached to the paper wrapper becomes difficult to break down, rendering the recycling process impossible.

It’s important to note that in Europe, there is no company capable of recycling contaminated paper food packaging.

What is Polylactic Acid?

The peculiarity of bioplastics, such as PLA, lies in their origin from renewable resources such as corn, cassava, or sugarcane, unlike traditional plastics derived from fossil fuels. However, a recent study conducted by Swedish scientists at the University of Gothenburg has highlighted a critical aspect: although PLA is considered biodegradable, its decomposition can be extremely long and toxic under certain conditions.

The research has emphasized that, even if bioplastics offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, there are still concerns regarding their environmental impact and safety. While the fact that PLA can be derived from renewable sources is a positive point, it’s also important to consider the decomposition process and any potential toxic effects it may cause.

Indeed, PLA takes at least 80 years to decompose, which means it contributes to environmental pollution due to plastics and, especially, microplastics, both in the sea and on land.

Data and Statistics

According to a study conducted by the British Parliament, “Every year in the UK, 2.5 billion coffee cups are used and thrown away – enough to circle the world around five and a half times – but less than 1 in 400 – just 0.25% – are recycled. Around 500,000 cups are thrown away in waste every day: an unpleasant and harmful damage to our environment. As waste encourages further abandonment, a vicious cycle is created.”

These data only take into account the UK, which means one thing: tens of thousands of tons of PLA are dumped into the environment every day, causing irreparable damage. If we don’t decide to take action, we could reach the point of no return in terms of:

• • climate change;

• • biodiversity;

• • environmental pollution.

Recycling Challenges

One of the main challenges in recycling takeaway cups is the separation of materials. Assumed the paper body and plastic lid can be easily separated, the plastic film covering them makes the recycling process complex and Expensive. Furthermore, many recycling facilities are not equipped to handle this type of material, making cup recycling a challenging endeavor.

Sustainability and Recycling: The Urgency of Collective Commitment for a Greener Future

Takeaway cups represent an emblematic example of the complexities of sustainability and recycling in our modern world. Like them, there are many other items that are sold to us as eco-friendly and easy to recycle when in reality it’s not at all like that.

Effectively addressing this problem requires joint commitment from producers, consumers, and public authorities who must be ready to invest in the sustainability and recycling sector because if we don’t do it NOW, tomorrow might be too late!

Starting to evaluate waste management options through innovative technologies, rather than just thinking about revolutionizing any production sector, could be an approach to improving strategies to support environmental sustainability linked to the concept of the circular economy.