A paper cup is a convenient way to take your favourite drinks on the go. Unfortunately, they aren’t the most eco-friendly options available.
In this post, we’re giving you three paper cup alternatives. Read on to learn more!
The Anatomy Of A Paper Cup
First, it’s important to break down why exactly standard paper cups aren’t as eco-friendly as you might think. While the exterior of the cup may be paper, most of them also include a plastic lining!
Some paper cups also come with a coating that may not be accepted by your local recycling depot. Remember to check with your municipality if you’re not sure!
Did you know: about 5 billion single-use cups end up in landfills every year!
A&W’s Zero Cup
A&W has introduced a paper cup alternative made by UK-based company ButterflyCup. What makes this cup different from a regular disposable cup? It’s made completely of paper, and requires no straw, lid, or plastic liner! Additionally, these cups do not have a laminate coating, meaning you can recycle them with your regular paper products.
How does it work? The ButterflyCup two flaps that fold down to form a lid and a double-ended spout. To drink, just sip out of either side!
The cup also claims to be leak proof and have no splashes or drips, while being able to hold both hot and cold drinks. You might also be asking: if it’s all paper, how does it not leak? The answer is a water-based coating which is 100% recyclable.
A&W is the first fast-food chain to adopt this cup as a part of their journey to become zero waste. This is the latest in a long line of eco-friendly initiatives that A&W has implemented, coming a year after their CupCrew initiative.
Biodegradable Plastic
We’ve let you know about multiple alternative packaging materials, but none is a better alternative than PLA! As a quick recap, PLA or polylactic acid is a bioplastic, which comes from plant-based starches. It’s biodegradable and compostable, and can also act as insulation.
Reusable Cups
This next single use disposable cup alternative may seem obvious, but we can’t leave it out: reusable cups! Reusable travel cups are a great way to reduce the number of plastic-lined disposable cups that end up in our ecosystems. These come in multiple materials, designs, and sizes to fit your needs.
Some restaurants and cafés even offer a small discount for bringing your own cup. The most common example is in Starbucks, where patrons can bring their reusable cups for a $0.10 discount.
Some reusable cup skeptics balk at the idea of bringing their own mug because it’s “inconvenient”. However, brands like Stojo have this covered, offering cups that collapse into compact discs (a personal favourite of mine).
What To Do Next
If you’re ready to make the switch, but don’t know where to start, contact us! Our knowledgeable packaging consultants can help you find the best solution for your business. We’re also able to help you source items if we aren’t able to produce them ourselves. Whether you have a clear picture of what you’re looking for or need some direction, we’re with you every step of the way!
There will be still some carbon available on the cups that bein made out of paper right? As there will be a brand name on it or some design or colour….
Hi AMM! Thank you for your feedback. Paper cups are *not* carbon-free, but they do have a very low overall carbon footprint! Additionally, they’re recyclable and made from a renewable resource!