Are Paper Pint Cups Better for the Environment than Plastic Cups?
Printed Paper Pint Cups
Printed paper pint cups are a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic cups, and here’s why.
Plastic Cups can Take Hundreds of Years to Degrade
Firstly, plastic cups are non-biodegradable and can take up to 450 years to decompose. This means that they remain in landfills, oceans and natural habitats, causing harm to the environment and wildlife. In contrast, paper cups are biodegradable, meaning they break down into natural substances when discarded, causing no harm to the environment.
Single Use Plastic Cups are Resource Intensive to Make
Secondly, the production of plastic cups is a resource-intensive process, which requires large amounts of fossil fuels, water and energy. In contrast, the production of paper cups is much more energy-efficient, and most paper cups are made from renewable resources, such as wood pulp, which is sustainably sourced.
Paper Pint Cups Create Less Waste
Finally, the waste generated from single-use plastic cups at festivals and events is staggering. For example, the UK alone generates over 35,000 tonnes of waste from festivals each year, with a significant portion coming from disposable cups. In contrast, paper cups can be recycled or composted, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the carbon footprint of events.
Sources:
- “How Plastic Waste is Affecting the Environment,” National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/plastic-pollution/
- “The Environmental Impact of Disposable Cups,” BioPak, https://www.biopak.com.au/environmental-impact-of-disposable-coffee-cups
- “Festivals generate 23,500 tonnes of waste each year, report says,” The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/27/festivals-generate-23500-tonnes-of-waste-each-year-report-says