{"id":882,"date":"2018-10-31T01:19:44","date_gmt":"2018-10-31T01:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=882"},"modified":"2022-08-18T22:14:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T22:14:29","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-paper-cups-facts-i-bet-you-didnt-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/eco-articles\/pros-and-cons-of-paper-cups-facts-i-bet-you-didnt-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons of Paper Cups – Facts I bet you didn\u2019t know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The pros of paper cups are that they break down quicker than plastic, they are affordable, come in a range of colors, can be recycled, are light, cheap, can hold hot and cold liquids and won’t break when you drop them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cons of paper cups are that they can have a thin plastic coating which needs a specialty recycling facility, are single use and are often packaged in plastic. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pros and Cons of Paper Cups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I decided to investigate the pros and cons of using paper cups.  If you are like me and trying to avoid single use plastics, moving to paper can seem like a greener alternative. The truth is more complex. Here are the top pros and cons of paper cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both paper and plastic cups are often thrown away after one use so for environmental sustainability a reusable cup that is used multiple times is the best way to go.  Let’s delve deeper and find out what is really behind the paper vs plastic cup debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/td>Cons<\/td><\/tr>
They will break down quicker than plastic cups<\/td>Plastic coating inside needs a specialty recycling process<\/td><\/tr>
Affordable compared to reusable cups<\/td>Create more waste than a reusable cup<\/td><\/tr>
Come in a range of colors<\/td>Can be more expensive than plastic<\/td><\/tr>
Can be recycled at specialised facilities <\/td>Most cups end up in landfill and not recycled<\/td><\/tr>
Range of sizes<\/td>Not available in all stores<\/td><\/tr>
Light to carry<\/td>Paper is less sustainable than bamboo<\/td><\/tr>
Sanitary<\/td>Trees are cut down to make paper cups<\/td><\/tr>
Can hold hot and cold liquids<\/td>Plastic from inside coating can pollute oceans<\/td><\/tr>
Convenient<\/td>Most cups contain a plastic internal coating making them non-biodegradable <\/td><\/tr>
Won’t break if dropped <\/td>Cups are packaged in plastic creating more waste<\/td><\/tr>
Easy to bring to bring to parties<\/td>Usually single use<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Paper cups can have a plastic lining that makes them difficult to recycle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paper vs. Plastic Cups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of places where disposable cups have become the norm. Near the water cooler at work, at kids birthday parties (or adult birthday parties), or even while on vacation.  Any time people want to avoid doing dishes, plastic or paper cups, cutlery or plates become the go to choice. But can we really afford to choose paper or plastic because we don’t want to wash up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research that I did stated that in 2007, a million tons of paper was created for paper cups and plates, virtually all of which would have been thrown away after a single use.  In the same year 800,000 tons of plastic cups and plates were create, again with most being thrown in the garbage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s start by looking at paper & plastic cups more closely and explore the factors we need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of paper cups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there are any benefits to the use of paper or plastic cups, it is that they can be made from recycled materials.  Knowing that they are already using up a discarded product is a good start, however most of these will then head to landfill after being used as they are both difficult to recycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n