Are Paper Cups Really Eco-Friendly? New Research Says No

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 01 September 2023, 11:09 am

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg say replacing single-use plastic cups with paper ones may raise environmental and health problems.

Many companies have switched to using disposable paper cups as worries about plastic pollution increase. However, new research from the University of Gothenburg shows that these paper cups contain harmful compounds and may harm ecosystems when left in the wild.

The Hidden Risks of Paper Cups

The study, directed by Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth of the University of Gothenburg's Department of Biology and Environmental Science, focused on the effects of disposable cups of different materials on butterfly mosquito larvae.

"We left paper cups and plastic cups in wet sediment and water for a few weeks and followed how the leached chemicals affected the larvae. All of the mugs negatively affected the growth of mosquito larvae," says Professor Almroth, as quoted in the report by Science Daily.

This study expands a 2019 research by an analytical team in India, which discovered that hot water used to fill paper cups caused microplastic particles and traces of hazardous compounds and heavy metals to leak into the drink, per NewsNCR.

"Bioplastics does not break down effectively when they end up in the environment, in water. There may be a risk that the plastic remains in nature and resulting microplastics can be ingested by animals and humans, just as other plastics do. Bioplastics contain at least as many chemicals as conventional plastic," Professor Almroth remarked in the report.

Reusable cups, often made of plastic, are not always preferable. They may also leak chemicals, particularly when heated or subjected to wear and tear, and acidic beverages like coffee can more easily absorb these chemicals. Reusable plastic cups' effect on the environment is also up for discussion since, compared to disposable ones, they need many uses to balance out their greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental toxicologist and executive director of the Food Packaging Forum Jane Muncke points out that because of the many interactions that might occur during production, chemical analysis alone could not fully identify the compounds in cups. Estimating the total effect of the chemicals used in cups may be difficult because of "mixture toxicity," which can occur from their combination.

What Do Researchers Recommend?

Researchers contend that the best course of action is to completely phase out disposable paper cups, even if improved recycling procedures help lessen the damage that these cups do. According to Wired, most recycling facilities have trouble separating plastic from paper, making recycling difficult. For instance, many coffee shops in the UK collect paper cups for recycling. However, few recycling facilities take them, which might be problematic for customers.

Some businesses have experimented with edible cups made of waffles or biscuits or employed origami-like processes to manufacture paper cups as researchers look for safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives. Another choice is stainless steel cups, which are renowned for their strength but also for cooling beverages more quickly than glass or ceramic cups.