the humble coffee cup is not easily recyclable. sure, many coffee shops have switched to paper cup bodies from the more sinful styrofoam (an everlasting plastic), but it’s the plastic film liner (polyethylene, a petroleum-based plastic) that makes the cup leakproof and a waste product destined for the landfill. then there’s the plastic lid. lids are typically made from polypropylene or polyethylene, hard to recycle, and may contain bpa, a chemical known to be harmful to life.
americans discard 50 billion coffee cups each year. so the next time you think about that double latte with a shot of vanilla, consider bringing your own cup. there are many reusable and lidded thermal cups available in lots of sizes. starbucks offers reusable cups and supports customers who bring their own.
small steps, one person at a time, can change the world.
other than bringing your own cup, is there an eco-material alternative?
there are bio-based alternatives to the traditional plastic-lined coffee cup and plastic lid. made from unbleached bamboo, the “notree kraft hot cup” has a bio-lining made from corn to prevent leaking. a few portland coffee shops use these cups for hot brew without issues. the cups are certified as 100% compostable when disposed of in a commercial-grade composting facility. the lids are made from bamboo and plant fibers. available from world centric.
still, the typical end state of these products is in the landfill even if less toxic.
