Can you print “100% eco” on a cup? As a manufacturer, we at Future Cups give an honest answer: no. This is important for any business that cares about its reputation. A paper cup is more eco-friendly than a plastic one, but it isn’t just paper. Here we explain what happens to it after use and how to talk about it honestly with your customers.
Do Paper Cups Decompose?
The base of the cup is cellulose board. It absorbs moisture, so the inside is covered with a protective layer. The most common option is PE lamination, a polyethylene coating. That is what keeps a cup holding a hot drink dry.
After use, the board gradually decomposes, but the polyethylene does not. There is no single decomposition time: it depends on the coating and the conditions. In a landfill without moisture and oxygen, even board takes longer to break down.
A separate category is biodegradable coffee cups, for example with a PLA coating. They are suitable for industrial composting under certain temperature and humidity conditions. So the word “biodegradable” doesn’t mean the cup will disappear once it ends up in the soil.
Recycling Paper Cups: How It Works
Because of the polyethylene coating, cups aren’t accepted everywhere along with waste paper. Recycling requires special equipment: the cups are soaked, the fibres are separated from the film, and the cleaned fibre becomes a secondary raw material.
What we recommend to coffee shops:
- collect cups empty, because leftover drinks contaminate the raw material;
- collect lids separately, because they are made of a different material;
- don’t label a container of cups as ordinary waste paper unless you have a specialised recycler.
Paper Cups: Environmental Harm and How to Reduce It
A paper cup isn’t perfect, but it has a clear advantage over plastic: pure cellulose can make up as much as 90% of the board. The rest depends on where the material comes from. FSC-certified board means the wood is harvested in forests that meet environmental and social standards.
When choosing a supplier, ask about the type and density of the board, the coating material and the raw material manufacturer. We consider it normal for a manufacturer to be able to confirm the origin of its materials with documents.
How to Talk About Eco-Friendliness Honestly
Don’t call a cup “100% eco-friendly” and don’t promise that it will decompose without a trace. Ask your supplier what the cup is made of, what coating it has and whether it is recyclable.
Specific information on the cup or in the menu builds more trust than a loud “eco” label without proper grounds.