Are you one of the environmentally-conscious ones who've gone the extra mile and replaced all your disposable plastic cups with paper ones? Well, we're sorry to disappoint you because you have been misled. According to a study published in the Environmental Pollution journal, single-use paper cups that are usually used for beverages are as toxic as plastic cups. Let's delve a little deeper into why is that the case and how even paper cups can be bad for both you as well as the environment.
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Even if your to-go cup is not made from styrofoam or you have made the effort of replacing the plastic ones with paper ones, what you probably didn't know is that they still have at least 5% plastic in them if not more. Have you never wondered what makes your paper cup leakproof? Then let us enlighten you, the onus of that magic goes to plastic. Most takeaway paper cups are lined with a plastic polymer to make them liquid-proof which in turn makes them extremely difficult to recycle.
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A research study by IIT Kharagpur has confirmed that paper cups are lined by a thin hydrophobic layer, whether made of polyethylene or some other co-polymer, and contaminate the hot liquid served in them. In as little as 15 minutes, hazardous components from the cups' lining material such as degraded micro-plastics are released into the hot beverage.
On a much larger scale, most recycling planets across the globe are incapable of processing these plastic-lined paper cups. Additionally, these plastic-lined paper cups can not even be composted because they will contaminate the finished compost with microplastics and other toxic chemicals. The problem and ill effects of the accumulation of non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic waste then remain the same.
It is crucial for all of us to understand, that in the end, the use of disposable cups needs to be limited. No matter how conscious we are about the materials of takeaway cups the best strategy is to make use of reusable cups. At the same time, it is essential for us to partake in extensive research and careful consideration before we start promoting any alternatives, so as to make sure they are actually better.
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