Coffee is one of the most desired beverages, and the use of custom printed paper cups is increasing due to the rapid growth of the global coffee market. However, in order to ensure environmental sustainability, industry players are switching to compostable coffee cups. Here we will look at the methods, usage, benefits and different varieties of these eco-friendly coffee cups.

Up until recently, customized PLA paper cups were unfortunately not compostable and this created a lot of confusion about the difference between recycling and composting. Custom biodegradable coffee cups are made with a thin coating of plastic that can’t be easily separated during the recycling process.

Therefore, Industry players such as Starbucks, have spent a significant amount of money researching and developing a more environmentally sustainable coffee cup material. Their new cup has a compostable lining, so it can be composted or recycled using single-stream recycling.

Compostable cups are usually made from polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. PLA is an environmentally and resource-friendly bio-based plastic made from renewable raw materials such as corn-based resin.

Why is polylactic acid (PLA) a better choice?

• Compostable packaging, such as PLA hot cups, has a bioplastic liner. Because this lining is composed of plants, it lowers the consumption of fossil fuels. The product is a polymer with a renewable base.
• PLA packaging composts under conditions established by the European Union standard EN134321. Commercial composting facilities have these requirements. Ensure that your product is collected for commercial composting to ensure that it is successfully processed.
• PLA cups are not designed to degrade in home composting environments and must be collected for commercial composting.This is to ensure they may be processed and degraded with food or organic items.
• Avoiding the landfilling of organic waste eliminates the possibility of the paper component of paper and bio-plastic coffee cups degrading and emitting greenhouse gases such as methane. By ensuring that your PLA goods are successfully collected for commercial composting, you can eliminate the risk of these items emitting greenhouse gases in landfill.

Coffee is one of the most desired beverages, and the use of coffee cups is increasing due to the rapid growth of the global coffee market. However, in order to ensure environmental sustainability, industry players are switching to compostable coffee cups. Here we will look at the methods, usage, benefits and different varieties of these eco-friendly coffee cups.

Can coffee cups be composted?

Up until recently, coffee cups were unfortunately not compostable and this created a lot of confusion about the difference between recycling and composting. Coffee cups are made with a thin coating of plastic that can’t be easily separated during the recycling process.

Therefore, Industry players have spent a significant amount of money researching and developing a more environmentally sustainable coffee cup material. Their new cup has a compostable lining, so it can be composted or recycled using single-stream recycling.

Compostable cups are usually made from polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. PLA is an environmentally and resource-friendly bio-based plastic made from renewable raw materials such as corn-based resin.

Why is polylactic acid (PLA) a better choice?

Compostable packaging, such as PLA hot cups, has a bioplastic liner. Because this lining is composed of plants, it lowers the consumption of fossil fuels. The product is a polymer with a renewable base.

PLA packaging composts under conditions established by the European Union standard EN134321. Commercial composting facilities have these requirements. Ensure that your product is collected for commercial composting to ensure that it is successfully processed.

PLA cups are not designed to degrade in home composting environments and must be collected for commercial composting.This is to ensure they may be processed and degraded with food or organic items.

Avoiding the landfilling of organic waste eliminates the possibility of the paper component of paper and bio-plastic coffee cups degrading and emitting greenhouse gases such as methane. By ensuring that your PLA goods are successfully collected for commercial composting, you can eliminate the risk of these items emitting greenhouse gases in landfill.

How long does it take for compostable coffee cups to decompose?

In a commercial compost facility that can maintain a consistent temperature of 140 degrees, the PLA cups decompose into carbon dioxide and water in 30–45 days.

However, it can take more than six months for one cup to decompose in a backyard compost bin. Nonetheless, this is still quicker than if they were to end up in a landfill and buried, taking hundreds of years to decompose.

With the goal of diverting waste from landfills and instead diverting it to compost, it seems obvious that cups made of organic material would be preferable to cups made of oil-derived plastic.

What are biodegradable coffee cups made from?

Bio-based plastics are derived from plants rather than petroleum. It is made by extracting sugar from plants such as corn and sugarcane to make PLA, which is used to line many compostable coffee cups.

The process of producing biodegradable cups is through a mechanical process called wet milling, first corn starch must be converted into sugar.

The moisturiser separates the starch from the kernels. When these components are separated, acid or enzymes are added. They are then heated to turn the starch into sugar. Next, it is fermented with sugar.

The addition of Lactobacillus bacteria to the sugar is one of the most common fermentation methods. In turn, this produces lactic acid. The lactic acid is then converted into lactide, a lactic acid ring shape dimer. These lactide molecules connect to form polymers.

The polymerization results in small pieces of polylactic acid plastic raw material that can be converted to a range of PLA plastic products.

Reasons to use compostable coffee cups

Bio cups, unlike Styrofoam or plastics, can be recycled or composted. This helps to ensure that paper cups are recycled into other useful materials. As a result, fewer coffee cups end up in landfills and oceans. This encourages waste reduction.

Here are a few reasons why you should use compostable cups:

Protect marine life

Ensuring the safety of water bodies

Sustainable for future generations

Reduced waste

Healthy and safe for human consumption

The preservation of fossil fuels

Preserving forests and preventing soil erosion

How to dispose of compostable coffee cups and lids?

When it comes to compostable cups and lids, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Compostable cups cannot be recycled alongside paper or cardboard and must be collected separately for commercial composting. This is because it is difficult to separate the liner from the paper fibre.

Takeaway cup lids are typically made of rigid polystyrene (triangle code 6), which is not commonly recycled and must therefore be removed and discarded separately. Although polystyrene can be recycled, it is widely regarded as too complicated and costly to be worthwhile.

We’re a paper cup specialist with a large collection of sizes and different styles. All are customisable. Fully certified to EU food-grade standards and ideal for takeaway coffee and other hot drinks.

Unlike conventional disposable paper cups which are lined with plastic, our custom biodegradable paper cups are lined with an environmentally-friendly coating that excels in biodegradability and compostability. Furthermore, the high quality paper used to create our cups is sourced from sustainably managed forestry which together make them a sustainable choice for takeaway drinks.

Our unique collections feature different designs to match your own concept and are available in various sizes. And, with a smooth flat surface, our personalized printed paper cups are perfectly suitable to be branded with your own design.

ABOUT OUR ECO-FRIENDLY PAPER COFFEE CUPS

• Made from high quality paper sourced from sustainably managed forestry
• Biodegradable & Compostable
• Lined with BioPBS, a coating that excels in biodegradability and compostability
• Suitable for holding hot drinks
• Available in various sizes and styles
• Combine with one of our compostable cup lids
• Custom designs available on request
• Certified to EU food-grade standards
• Made in China.

We like take away service, we enjoy the convenience of the current paper cups bring to us and it had been an essential part of our life without any doubt.

But have you ever thought about that if the current paper cup we used is good enough for our environment?

What we call “paper cup” is wrong as it mainly composed of paper+ polyethylene liner inside.

What is the difference between PE, PLA and Water-based coating cups?

PE protective film, full name Polyethylene, is the simplest polymer organic compound and the most widely used polymer material in the world today. The PE protective film uses a special polyethylene (PE) plastic film as the base material, and is divided into high-density polyethylene protective film, medium-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene according to the density.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a new type of biodegradable material, made from starch raw materials proposed by renewable plant resources (such as corn).

• It has good biodegradability and can be completely degraded by microorganisms in nature within 1~1.5 years under specific conditions, and finally carbon dioxide and water are generated without polluting the environment. This is very beneficial to environmental protection and is recognized as an environmentally friendly material.

• On the other hand, based on the waste management hierarchy, compostable paper cup is not the most economical option.

What can we do to find a balance?

• By adopting the new technology “Paper+ water-based coating” to achieve paper cup fully recyclable and re-pulpable.

• Cup recyclable in the paper stream that it is the most developed recycling stream around in the world.

• Save energy, reduce waste, develop a circle and sustainable future for our only one earth.

What Products Can We Offer for You?

Hot Paper Cup

• Single side coated for hot drinks (coffee, tea, etc.)

• Available size ranges from 2.5oz to 22oz

• Excellent waterproof and stiffness.

Cold Paper Cup

• Double side coated for cold drinks (Cola, juice, etc.)

• Available size ranges from 8oz to 22oz

• Alternative for transparent plastic cup

Paper Bowl

• Single side coated for noodle food, salad

• Available size ranges from 6oz to 32oz

• Excellent oil resistance

Paper cup, to-go cup, disposable cup – paper cups with logo have as many different uses as they do have different names. The good thing about paper cups is that they are really just deep containers that can be used to hold a range of different contents.

In what follows, we will go through the different things that our customers most often use the cups for, as well as any remarks relating to each point. To cap things off, we also have some tips and tricks for fun things you can do with your paper cups.

The obvious utility

Most of our customers use their paper cups with logos to serve hot drinks such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Customized paper cups are designed for serving hot drinks, and you come across them every single day, whether it’s in 7/11 or in your local supermarket.

When buying paper cups for serving hot drinks, you should think about how hot the drinks will be, as single wall paper cups are often not sufficient for high temperatures. Single wall cups can become very hot and almost impossible to hold until the drink starts to cool down. In such cases, you should consider whether double wall paper cups might be more suitable, as they prevent your customers from burning their fingers and help to keep the contents warm.

Cold drinks

Many of our customers use printed paper cups to serve cold drinks such as juice, water and soft drinks. They have been used for water at orienteering events and for cups of juice given to students with a message. The common theme in such cases is that the paper cups have been used to start up an interaction with other people.

If you are going to use the paper cups for cold drinks, then the single wall option is well suited for this. Paper thickness is not all that important when it comes to cold drinks, as the printed cup does not need to preserve heat. Single wall cups offer a simple yet clear expression on the outside and are also a cheap option for serving drinks.

Alcohol and fat

Some of our customers have used the paper cups to serve alcoholic drinks, such as coffee with Baileys and other similar drinks. You might tend to believe that a simple paper cup can hold almost anything, but there are actually a few things that the simple cup can nonetheless struggle with. Alcohol and fat are a couple of examples. Most paper cups are actually not designed to manage large concentrations of alcohol or fat. This is rarely a problem for alcohol volumes of less than 5 % or for low fat percentages. But anything higher can drastically impact the durability of a standard paper cup.

This can be addressed as many manufacturers are able to strengthen the cup material (especially at the bottom) so that they do not begin to leak. Alcohol and fat are not common contents for a paper cup, so remember to ask your paper cup supplier if you want to use your paper cup with logo to serve strong alcoholic drinks or drinks with very high-fat content.

If you are unsure about what you want to serve might be unsuitable for a paper cup, you are always more than welcome to give us a call and hear a little more about the various options we can offer.

Tips and tricks on how to use your paper cup in a different way

We have had customers who have used their custom designed paper cups as popcorn boxes as these are a cheaper solution, and if you select 12 or 16 oz paper cups, you will still be able to offer a good serving of popcorn. The clever thing about paper cups in this context is that their rounded exterior gives them a coherent appearance rather than a typical boxy look.

CMYK colours offer you a great form of expressivity to use on your printed paper cups. This means that we have had customers who have given their own customers the chance to add their expressions to their printed paper cups that involve their customers in the process.

As the paper cup is quite simply a container, we have also had customers who have used them to serve snacks such as fruit salads, crisps and baked potatoes. Cups in different sizes offer you the opportunity to adapt the portions depending on how much you want to serve.

General

In general, paper cups can be used for a range of different purposes, including many that are not listed above. It is amazing that an object as simple as a paper cup can be used in so many different ways. It is nonetheless important to consider the print and size of the paper cup in accordance with what you plan on using it for. You are always welcome to give us a call and chat with us about whether paper cups are right for your set-up.

Cold drink paper cups are divided into double PE paper cups or double PLA paper cups which are commonly used in cold shops, restaurants, and cafes .These cups are made of high-quality paperboard and are coated with polyethylene (PE) or polylactic acid （PLA ）on both inside and outside of paper cups, which makes them resistant to liquid penetration better and provides excellent insulation.

One of the most significant advantages of double PE paper cups is their excellent insulation. The double layers of PE coating on the cups provide an extra layer of insulation, which helps keep drink temperature for a longer period.

Cold drinks have a characteristic that they need to be frozen or refrigerated, and the use temperature is 0℃-5℃. That determines the whole paper cup need to be waterproof. Otherwise, the cold drink will cause water to accumulate on the surface of the paper cup，which will cause the paper cup to soften.The double PE coating provides an excellent barrier against moisture and ensures that the paper cups remain intact even when exposed to high temperatures. The cups are also leak-proof, which makes an excellent for serving cold drinks like juice, cola and smoothies.

Moreover, double PE paper cups are customizable. They can be branded with logos, messages, and images that match an company's brand, event or campaign. Personalizing the cups allows businesses to enhance their brand awareness, making them ideal for marketing and promotions.

Additionlly ,compare with double PE paper cups , double PLA paper cups are more eco-friendly. They are made from environmental protection material.The cups are also compostable and biodegradable .They are an environmentally friendly and customizable option, with excellent insulation, strength, and stability. They also limit concerns for your customer's experience with leaks, comfort, and functionality.

For companies seeking a sustainable and versatile product, double PLA paper cups should be highly considered.

Plastic has been criticised lately by different industries because of its harmful effect on the environment and the surroundings. The major reason people abstain from using plastic cups is the inability of plastic cups to be recycled properly. The more plastic cups you use, the more wastes get dumped into the landfills. Thus environmentally, paper cups are the best alternative nowadays.

Marketers have begun to switch from plastic to paper cups lately. Disposable Biodegradable Coffee Cups are sourced directly from the barks and trunks of the trees and are a more environmentally friendly option than plastic cups. Paper cup manufacturers are thus contributing positively to the benefit of the environment.

Why are Disposable Paper Cups good for the environment?

Biodegradable Paper Cups are environmentally beneficial as they can be easily recycled. Paper is sourced from the plants, and hence after disposing of the cups, the same gets recycled and mixes with the environment without causing any air or land pollution. For paper cups with a plastic lining, the recycling process becomes complex.

Moreover, paper cups are reusable. If the cup is used to consume water or unstained liquid forms, you can easily use the paper cups more than once. Thus, paper cups are a great alternative to save on your costs. Some shops have also introduced the idea of uniquely decorating the paper cups and adding a personalised touch to the cup to make the customers feel special.

In terms of economic value, paper cups are affordable compared to plastic ones. Businesses using paper cups are more cost-effective and reduce their environmental footprint. Since plastic cups are single-use options, they are a costly option for businesses. The number of plastic cups that a business needs to produce is higher and should meet the demand appropriately.

Disposable paper cups help to reduce the amount of wastage in the landfill. Hence if you’re dumping the same in the locality near you, paper cups can be a great option. Using paper cups is always one of the best options for maintaining the ecology of the environment.

We manufacture eco-friendly and affordable paper cups of different sizes that beverage companies can use effectively.To know more about the different range of sustainable products, check our website.

Eco friendly paper cups wholesale are an item that we often use when entertaining guests. But we are not very clear how the production of customized dispostable brand logo printed coffee cups. The following double child briefly introduce how the production of paper cups.

1. Paper cup production process

Original paper lamination——slitting sample typesetting——printing ——die-cutting——molding——sterilization boxing——going into storage. The first is the processing of the width of the paper, according to the printing layout and the way to determine, either slitting or die-cutting. The next step is printing, and there are two types of printing: offset and knead printing. The next step is die-cutting, that is, the printed pattern of paper cut into a fan-shaped sheet of paper, some advanced machines can die-cut their own. Finally is the molding, molding needs to have a cup body and cup bottom two parts.

2. Paper cup customization

The appearance and model of the customized single wall sugarcane paper cups can be customized according to the different needs of customers.

3. The cost of paper cups

Paper cups by Sonton, a reliable disposable tableware supplier, are printed with flexographic water-based ink. For raw material paper, many paper manufacturers provide printing and die-cutting services, so when you first invest in establishing paper cups and paper bowl manufacturers, you can directly buy printed and die-cut pieces of customize PLA coated paper cups.

Because the cost of printing and die-cutting in the production of paper cups, paper bowls accounted for a small proportion of the cost, the cost is mainly determined by the size of the paper cups, paper weight.

By now, everyone knows that plastic cups are not the right choice for serving hot beverages. As you rule out plastic cups, it is time to consider paper cups. There are various reasons why paper cups are a much better alternative for serving coffee and tea to customers.

More and more hot beverage vendors are stocking up on different types of paper cups. They vary in size and material, but the most important difference is the insulating property. The type is often decided based on the heat of the drink being offered.

The plain white and single wall ones are great for hot drinks but they often become difficult to hold as the single-wall construction does not have additional layers to insulate the heat. A sleeve is not always available or suitable, so it is best to consider other options.

Why Ripple Paper Cups Are Better

Hot ripple cups flaunt double layers. They are specially designed to endure high temperatures. The layering works the way thermos flasks work. It traps and isolates the holder’s hand from coffee or tea. They are also sturdier, so they are ideal to be used for takeaway cup purposes.

Some of the newer cups flaunt triple walled construction, which is obviously better. These are known for providing increased comfort and insulation. The ripples come with a modern illustrated ‘50 cups’ design, which suits any stylish establishment.

The different corrugated paper wrapping in these can provide enhanced hand-comfort and heat insulation. The stylish appearance and color choices offer a premium brand presentation.

This product is available in many different sizes and a wide range of colors. Some of them are available in stock prints as well as having the ability to be personalized with your company logo or message of your choice.

Apart from keeping your hands cool, the corrugated sleeve prevents spillage and reduces risk of burning.

This product is a great medium to promote various brands. As a brand, Ripple is supported widely through trade advertisements and various sponsorship. Also, it has a positive environmental positioning amid other businesses and customers.

Being light weight it allows them to be carried around quite easily. Disposing the product is also simple as they are made of disposable material and decomposes much easier than plastic. Unlike plastic cups, you can easily crumple the paper alternatives and throw them away without feeling guilty.

They are also recyclable. Used cups are collected to make a pulp with mixture of water and paper. This pulp is then used to make new ones. They are also considered as the cleanest products because they are biodegradable. The takeaway container is made using natural trees and contains no toxic element. The biodegradable nature of them is what makes them so eco-friendly.

Different types of cups are available in the market today. Companies must select ones that are most suitable for their business while customers must keep their safety in mind. It is also important that both parties think about the environmental factor. Considering all points, ripple takeaway paper cups are ideal for coffee and tea.

Most coffee consumers probably don’t put much thought into how many layers of paper go into making a customized disposable brand logo printed  coffee cups. If it’s your job to purchase coffee cups for your café or takeaway, it can be confusing trying to decipher between single, double and ripple wall coffee cups.

Aside from the obvious fact that each cup type has a differing number of ‘walls’ (or layers), there are also a few differences that need to be considered between each cup.  That’s why we’ve put together some helpful facts below, so you don’t need to spend too much of your valuable time toying over which biodegradable paper cup is right for your business.

Single Wall Coffee Cups

Single wall cups are made from only one layer of card (as the name suggests). They offer less insulation for hot beverages, so they need to be used with cup sleeves to prevent the person holding the cup from burning their fingers. Customize single wall cups are more suitable for warm or milk-based beverages.

Single wall cups are a more economical and eco-friendly option as less paper and energy goes into making them. They are also lighter than other types of cups, so they can fit into more compact pallets and cartons, reducing emissions from transport.

Double Wall Coffee Cups

Double wall cups are made with two layers of card and offer more insulation and protection from burns.

Double wall cups are preferred by cafes, takeaways and restaurant owners because they provide more insulation without costing significantly more or using a lot more material than single wall cups. Sleeves can be used with double walled cups for extra grip and further insulation from hot drinks.

Ripple Wall Coffee Cups

Ripple wall hot cups provide the optimum in insulation properties, along with extra grip. Ripple wall cups are made from two layers of card. The top layer of the ripple wall cup is made of corrugated cardboard which means they are much more resistant to heat, so they don’t need a sleeve.