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Negative Impact of Disposable Cups & Why Reusable Cups Are Better
Every year, millions of disposable cups are thrown away, creating a huge negative impact on our environment.
However, the global market value of disposable cups is projected to double in size from 11.95 billion $USD to 21.2 $USD between the years 2016 and 2026 (Statista, 2023).
On the other hand, there is a solution to this problem: reusable cups.
In this blog article, we’ll explore the negative effects of disposable cups and why reusable cups are a better alternative.
Disposable Cups in the UK
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee published an extentive e-report in 2018, “Disposable Packaging Coffee Cups, Second Report of Session 2017-19“, noting on scale of the scale of coffee cub waste, recycling, SDGs, {…}. Check it out if you are interested!
You can also find in the report that the demand for coffee will increase, likely also pushing new demand levels for paper-made cups or other green alternatives.
The associated creation of waste across the UK may sum up to 30,000 tons per annum.
In comparison, it is still less than 1% of total national waste generated, as cited in the report this has been found by the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and the Foodservice Packaging Association.
It is assumed that the United Kingdom uses 2.5 billion coffee cups per year (Moss, University of Kent, 2022).
The Production of Disposable Cups
The production of disposable cups requires the use of a significant amount of resources and energy.
Plastic cups, for example, are made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource.
In addition, the production process releases harmful substances into the air, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
On the other hand, reusable cups are made from materials such as bamboo, stainless steel, and glass.
These materials can be reused multiple times, significantly reducing the resources and energy needed for production.
Costa Coffee, UK’s leading coffee-retail chain, announced it’s cup’s design inside lining switches from “oil-based plastic” to plant-based plastic in 2022. The brand’s cold drink containers will be created with recycled plastic by 50% (Costa Coffee, 2023).
Waste Management of Disposable Drinking Containers
Not only do these cups take hundreds of years to decompose, but their production process also often leads to deforestation and the release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.
The environmental impact of disposable cups doesn’t end with production.
Most of these cups end up in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to decompose.
Meanwhile, the decomposition process releases methane, a gas that is even more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Additionally, many disposable cups end up in the ocean where they contribute to plastic pollution.
In contrast, reusable cups are designed to withstand years of use, which reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and waterways.
Recycling Challenges Paper Cups
Environmental Impact of Plastic Coffee Cups
Plastic cups also contribute to the problem of deforestation.
The production of paper cups requires a significant amount of trees to be cut down, leading to soil erosion, habitat loss, and other environmental problems.
Sustainable Alternative: Reusable Cups
Reusable cups, particularly those made of bamboo, are grown sustainably and have a much lower impact on our environment.
Aside from the environmental benefits, there are also economic benefits to using reusable cups. Disposable cups, while convenient, can add up quickly, leading to unnecessary expenses.
Conversely, purchasing a reusable cup, even one of higher quality can save you money in the long run.
Disposable Cups Takeaways & How to Improve Your Consume in The Future
The use of reusable cups is not only environmentally responsible but also a practical choice. While disposable cups may seem convenient, the environmental and economic costs outweigh this attribute.
The production process and methane release from landfills make them one of the most harmful waste items to the planet.
Encouraging consumers to opt for reusable cups and including such options can reduce the production of disposable cups, leading us closer to a healthy environment.
We should all make an effort to use durable and sustainable solutions, like reusable cups, which can greatly reduce waste over time.
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