Compostable cups
On the market, we can find many cups labeled with environmentally friendly terms such as “compostable,” “biodegradable,” or “plant-based.” These labels have become particularly attractive in environmentally conscious hospitality, however, in reality it is important to examine the credibility of these labels and their actual environmental impact. There are several factors that require a critical approach and a deeper understanding of what these terms truly mean.
The advantage of compostable materials is that, when properly composted, they can benefit the soil. The material typically used for producing these cups is starch-based polylactic acid (PLA), a type of bioplastic made from plants such as corn, potatoes, or sugar beet. Their intended benefit is that after use, under proper composting conditions, they decompose and reduce landfill waste. The problem is that most of them end up in oceans and landfills because they do not reach specialized composting facilities. Industrial composting requires high temperatures and precisely controlled humidity levels, and it is not available in many regions. According to a study, PLA products did not decompose even after 60 days of incubation at 35°C.
When is this option worth choosing?
The use of biodegradable cups can only be considered truly conscious if selective collection and proper industrial processing are ensured; otherwise, these products also end up in landfills.
Reusable plastic cups (aka deposit cups)
Reusable cups are most commonly made of PP (polypropylene), as the material’s rigidity provides excellent durability.
From an environmental footprint perspective, producing reusable cups may initially result in higher CO2 emissions than single-use or compostable alternatives.
A life cycle assessment by Denkstatt Hungary, examining RevoCup products, shows that producing different sizes results in emissions of 0.139 kg CO2-eq (3 dl), 0.176 kg CO2-eq (4 dl), and 0.187 kg CO2-eq (5 dl). However, through multiple uses (up to 500 times), this initial emission is quickly amortized, as the 500 ml RevoCup typically begins to perform better environmentally after five uses in terms of GWP (Global Warming Potential).
But how can a cup remain in circulation up to 500 times?
It is essential that hospitality operators choose partners who operate cups within a system. This ensures that if a guest takes the cup home after first use, they can later return it at any partner location. Continuous education is also crucial, as both service providers and operators are responsible for properly informing guests about the system’s operation and necessity.
The purpose of a circular system is to ensure cups do not end up in trash bins or collecting dust on kitchen shelves but remain in use as long as possible.
Stainless steel cups
Stainless steel cups also offer an excellent alternative to single-use products. Although across Europe there are currently very few companies operating these within a system (rather than just selling them), and limited data is available about their environmental impact, research does provide relevant climate data. According to a publicly available life cycle analysis, a stainless steel cup used five times has a total CO2 emission of 234,776 kg, which significantly decreases to 1,437 kg after 300 uses. While these are high numbers, it must be considered that stainless steel cups have a high recycling rate at end of life, significantly reducing emissions through repeated reuse.
Paper cups
Paper-based products are among the most common replacements for single-use plastic cups. Paper is naturally recyclable as long as it does not come into contact with other materials. However, most paper cups contain a thin plastic lining to prevent leakage, and as a result only 0.25% are recycled. Additionally, this alternative cannot be considered sustainable because approximately 20 million trees are cut down annually to produce single-use paper cups. This is a significant number considering that these cups typically end up in landfills after a single use.
So which is the best option?
Environmentally conscious decisions depend not only on product type but also on how effectively users and providers integrate them into sustainable practices. In the long term, the most sustainable solution is one that operates within a system and does not generate unnecessary waste after first use. This requires selecting a user-friendly, interoperable system, proper communication from operators, and responsible use by end consumers.
