The hidden dangers of paper cups: what you need to know

In our everyday lives, paper cups seem like a convenient choice for tea or other drinks. Yet, you need to remember that these cups come with hidden dangers that can affect both our health and the environment. If you are surprised by this, it’s better to look at these risks and understand why we should reconsider using paper cups as a daily habit.

We are sure that you and many other people believe that paper cups are environmentally friendly because they are made from paper. The secret is that most paper cups have a thin plastic coating inside to prevent leaks. Have you ever wondered why a piece of paper gets wet and leaks straight away when you pour water on it, but paper cups don’t?

This thin layer of plastic in paper cups makes recycling difficult and often means the cups end up in landfills, where they can take many years to decompose. This means that paper cups are not as eco-friendly as they appear.

Guess another concern related to paper cups? You may have health issues!

The plastic lining in the cup can release dangerous chemicals into your beverage, especially when it’s hot. We bet you never thought of brewing some plastic (like a plastic bag or plastic toy) and pouring that into your body, but that’s exactly what you do!

Chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and styrene can seep into your beverage. BPA can disrupt your hormones, and styrene is a potential carcinogen. Research has also found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in drinks from paper cups. These particles can be ingested and might cause health problems.

Recycling these cups also poses a challenge – it’s more complicated than it appears. The plastic lining must be separated from the paper, which requires specialised recycling facilities that are not commonly available. Consequently, many paper cups end up in landfills because most recycling programmes are not equipped to process them.

If you are a fan of gardening and you thought that throwing the paper cup in your compost heap is a good idea, think of this – have you ever noticed that despite the paper degrading, you still have small plastic film particles in your compost? That’s the lining of the cup. Exactly what stays for years in your soil.

A better option is to use reusable cups. Stainless steel, glass, and BPA-free plastic cups are excellent alternatives that can significantly reduce waste. Many cafes even offer discounts if you bring your own cup. If using a reusable cup is not practical, compostable cups made from materials like cornstarch or sugarcane are a more sustainable choice. These cups can break down in industrial composting facilities, but they still need to be disposed of correctly.

We hope you reconsider using paper cups as your daily choice. Let’s help our planet stay more sustainable and healthy!