Before you order your next office supply refresh, take a look at your current setup and see if you’re using the most eco-friendly cups possible. Do you use plastic or paper cups? Many businesses opt for plastic cups instead of disposable paper ones because they’re cheaper, more durable, and stain resistant.
But are they also eco-friendly? Let’s find out.
When it comes to sustainability, everything we do has a consequence (no matter how small). In the case of choosing between paper cups vs plastic ones, there is no universal answer that fits everyone. It all depends on what your company values the most: cost savings, practicality, sustainability, or something else.
Paper Cups: More Environmentally Friendly
Paper cups are often considered more eco-friendly than plastic cups. But a new study shows that the paper used to make them is actually worse for the environment than plastic.
The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, found that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, using paper cups instead of plastic ones can be just as bad or even worse than using plastic.
“We were surprised by how much higher the environmental impact was from paper compared with plastic,” said lead author Dr. David Stolzenburg, an assistant professor of civil engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.
In fact, according to the study, making one paper cup requires about 1.5 times more energy than making one plastic cup. And while paper cups may seem like a greener choice, the study showed that their production still uses a lot of water.
In addition, the study found that paper cups have a greater carbon footprint than plastic cups. This is because paper cups require more energy to produce and transport than plastic cups.
Plastic Cups: Less Expensive, Easier To Recycle
While paper cups aren’t necessarily better for the environment than plastic cups, many companies choose paper cups over plastic ones because they’ll save money.
According to the National Association of Paper Producers, the average price difference between paper and plastic cups is $0.10 per cup. That means that switching to paper cups could save you up to $1,000 every year.
Another reason why some companies prefer paper cups is that they’re easier to recycle. If you want to reuse your old paper cups, you don’t need any special equipment to recycle them. You simply put them in a recycling bin.
However, not all paper cups are created equal. Some paper cups are made from recycled materials, while others are made from virgin pulp. So which type should you buy?
If you’re looking for a recyclable paper cup, then go for those made from 100% recycled content. These cups will help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.
If you’re looking to cut costs, then you might want to consider buying paper cups made from virgin pulp. They won’t be as environmentally friendly as those made from recycled material, but they’ll be less expensive.
Paper Cups: Not As Practical For Small Businesses
Paper cups are great for large businesses. However, if you run a small business, you probably don’t have the budget to purchase thousands of paper cups each month.
That’s where plastic cups come in handy. While they’re slightly more expensive than paper cups, they’re also cheaper to replace. Plus, they’re easy to dispose of.
So if you’re running a small business, you might want to stick with plastic cups.
The Positive Side of Both Paper and Plastic Cups
Although paper cups are more eco-friendly than plastic cups, there are still benefits to both types of cups.
For example, paper cups are generally lighter than plastic cups, so they’re easier for customers to carry around. In addition, paper cups are usually thicker than plastic cups, so you get more value out of your dollar.
And since paper cups are reusable, they’re perfect for events such as weddings or parties.
On the other hand, plastic cups can be used for multiple purposes. For instance, they are often used as a container to store food and drinks.
Paper Cups Vs Plastic:How to Choose For Your Business
When it comes to choosing different types of cups for your business, you first need to decide what kind of product you sell.
Are you selling coffee? Then you’ll definitely want to use paper cups. Are you selling beer? Then you’d probably want to use plastic cups.
But if you’re selling wine or liquor, then you might want to consider using a glass cup instead. This is because the material used in these cups will help keep the temperature of the beverage at an ideal level.
The best way to find out which type of cup you should be using for your business is by consulting with a local expert or paper&platic cup manufacturer. You can do this by contacting one of our experts who are available 24/7 and ready to answer any questions that you may have about the different types of cups.
Bottom Line
There are pros and cons to using either paper or plastic cups. But ultimately, it comes down to what works best for your business.
