Why 99.75% of Paper Coffee Cups Can't Be Recycled

If you start your morning with a cup of coffee or tea from a coffee shop, it’s probably in convenient disposable cups. In America alone, this daily habit amounts to 146 billion cups per year. 

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While these paper cups may seem like a sustainable choice, a closer look reveals a hidden environmental antagonist: the plastic lining. This layer renders the cups non-recyclable and contributes to the growing problem of microplastics in our environment.

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Why is there plastic in disposable coffee cups?

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Disposable paper cups are typically made of around 90 to 95% paper and 5% polyethylene, a petroleum-based product. This thin layer is what makes the cup suitable for hot beverages. Unfortunately, it is also what makes these paper cups problematic:

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1. Recycling woes

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The addition of this plastic lining means that roughly 99.75% of coffee cups can’t be recycled.

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Paper mills equipped to recycle standard paper products are not designed to handle materials with a plastic component. As a result, many recycling facilities cannot process disposable coffee cups, leading to their inevitable fate in landfills.

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2. Deceptive perception

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Yes, our Starbucks cups are theoretically recyclable but only under very specific conditions thanks to the plastic lining. Even though they can’t be recycled by the vast majority of paper recyclers, the cups still carry the recycling symbol. This perpetuated misconception is widespread and leads to many of us assuming that the cup is easily recyclable. It in turn leads to improper disposal practices and worsens the plastic pollution problem.

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3. Microplastics with macro impact

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Disposable cups break down in landfills, releasing microplastics that pollute our bodies and ecosystems. Studies link these microplastics to reproductive harm, metabolic issues, and increased cancer risk. The plastic film in our paper cup begins to degrade within the 15 minutes or so it takes to finish our beverage. Thanks to this, just three hot beverages can lead to us ingesting 75,000 microplastic particles!

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Sustainable alternatives to disposable coffee cups

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No, we don’t need to ditch our Starbucks cups but we also shouldn’t wait for Starbucks’ sustainability initiatives to come to life. Today, there are more and more sustainable approaches to getting our caffeine fix:

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1. Reusable coffee cups

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Choose from a range of high-quality reusable or compostable cups made from materials like sugarcane fibers, bamboo, or durable glass and ceramic. These alternatives are easily recyclable and devoid of plastic linings. Some coffee shops even offer discounts for bringing your own cup.

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2. Sustainable cafes

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Choose coffee shops that let you use your own cup or ones involved in sustainability initiatives like ReCUP Recycling or cup-sharing programs. By supporting such establishments over others, we foster a communal effort and contribute to the planet's well-being.

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3. Awareness and education

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Foster awareness about the environmental impact of disposable coffee cups. Talk to your friends and family about sustainable alternatives and the importance of making conscious choices.

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By making small changes in our lives, we can contribute to a significant reduction in environmental impact. Collectively, these choices can pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible approach to our sacred caffeine rituals. To explore more such sustainability tips, download Commons and join our community of tens of thousands of people.