THE TRUTH ABOUT PAPER CUPS: Not as Eco-Friendly as You Think

Disposable paper cups have become popular in today’s society. It is the preferred choice of most beverage companies as it is supposedly more environmentally friendly compared to its counterpart, disposable plastic cups. Besides that, the paper cup is light in weight, convenient and easy to take and use, and the heat insulation effect is better than that of the plastic cup when holding hot water.

Secondly, the production cost of paper cups is supposedly low, the purchase price is low, and it is suitable for consumers of all consumption levels. These factors have collectively made paper cups the popular choice for some companies and event organisers. However, it is a lesser-known fact that the paper cups actually have an interior that is laminated with a hydrophobic film made of mostly plastic (polyethylene) and sometimes copolymers.

A study was conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in West Bengal, India to evaluate the degradation of paper cup films exposed to hot water (85-90°C). It found that the films released ions (fluoride, chloride, sulphate, nitrate), microplastic particles, and toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd) into the water.

Fluorescence microscopy detected approximately 25,000 micron-sized microplastic particles in 100 ml of water within 15 minutes, while scanning electron microscopy revealed over 100 million sub-micron particles per ml. Elemental analysis showed a reduction in carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content after water exposure. The findings suggest potential health risks from ingesting microplastics, ions, and heavy metals through hot beverages like tea and coffee.

Microplastics and associated harmful contaminants can lead to various health issues, including diabetes, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular problems, pulmonary diseases, and developmental and reproductive disorders (Prata et al., 2020; Vethaak and Legler, 2021).

The plastic lining within the paper cup also poses environmental risks. Apart from ingesting microplastics, paper cups leave behind thin plastics that contaminate the environment. Most recycling programs worldwide cannot process plastic-coated cups or containers, making around 99.75% of coffee cups non-recyclable. While plain paper can be composted, the plastic lining prevents composting and risks contaminating finished compost with microplastics and toxic chemicals.

There is also a continuous and growing demand for paper cups that entails further deforestation. Paper cups are often treated with chemicals to make them waterproof or durable, and these chemicals can leach into the environment and harm wildlife.

A shift away from plastic to paper cups is not a solution to the ever-growing overconsumption of materials. We must reduce consumption of single-use materials.

There are many ways to reduce the use of paper cups. Businesses can encourage the use of reusable cups by offering discounts or incentives to customers who bring their own.

Alternatively, it is found that implementing charges on disposable cups is more effective than offering discounts for reusable ones. A study by Cardiff University found that a charge increased the use of reusable cups by an extra 3.4%.

Ultimately, consumers can continue enjoying daily coffee or tea using reusable cups. For the sake of both our health and the planet, we must consider the materials used in paper cups. Traditional paper cups harm the environment and pose health risks, as they may release microplastics with every sip. Therefore, consumers should instead opt to bring their own reusable cups with them to get drinks from stores.

REFERENCES:

Ved Prakash Ranjan, Anuja Joseph, Sudha Goel. Microplastics and other harmful substances released from disposable paper cups into hot water. Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 404, Part B, 2021, 124118, ISSN 0304-3894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124118

Anuja Joseph, Naseeba Parveen, Ved Prakash Ranjan, Sudha Goel. Drinking hot beverages from paper cups: Lifetime intake of microplastics. Chemosphere, Volume 317, 2023, 137844, ISSN 0045-6535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137844

Poortinga W, Whitaker L. Promoting the Use of Reusable Coffee Cups through Environmental Messaging, the Provision of Alternatives and Financial Incentives. Sustainability. 2018; 10(3):873. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030873