Tackling Needless Plastic Cups with Plant-Based Alternatives
You’ve seen the synonymous ‘red solo cup’ associated with every American party or every British game of beer pong. But, isn’t it time we began to think about the future, the environment and others before we start chugging?
Maybe.
Unfortunately, these cups or not made of a disposable plastic, nor are they labelled as reusable. This means they form part of a linear way of consumption: buy, use, bin. But, the bin doesn’t mean that it is gone.
Your plastic cups are become part of the large landfill sites, the cause for animal fatalities and the reason behind the infamous waste mountain floating across our seas.
Your plastic cups are developed using non-sustainable materials like petroleum and fossil fuels, that we will eventually run out of. And, according to The Ecology Centre, the manufacturing process releases tonnes of unwanted volatile organic compounds into our atmosphere.
However, there are alternative plastic options for plastic cups such as glass, seaweed, fish scales… And, disposable pant-based materials.
What is the Plant-Based Alternative?
The plant-based alternative to non-disposable plastic cups involves the use of organic materials that can be formed using a simple manufacturing process.
In short, the plant based cup we developed here at BioPoly Lab is a type of bioplastic made using corn-starch, paper and an IngeoTM lining. IngeoTM is natural polylactic acid produced by plants.
The process in which these materials are turned into cups or other products is called injection moulding. This is a cheap and sustainable process whereby the molten biodegradable solution is poured into a three-dimensional mould to emerge the product you know and love.
Don’t worry, there’s no need to stop the beer pong-ing, just transform it into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable game.
How can it Improve World Sustainability?
The overall aim at BioPolyLab is to make a better world where sustainable alternatives to non-disposable plastics are available to everyone.The WWF explains how the plastics end up in the ocean through lightweight plastics being swept away by the wind. Which just shows that even through good intentions of disposal without littering, the plastics can still end up in places they shouldn’t and cause havoc.
With the plant-based biodegradable plastic, there’s no need to worry about the littering process. of course, there is no good reason to be disrespectful to our environment by littering, but there can be peace of mind knowing that when you do dispose of something, it is not contributing to a much larger issue.
There will be fewer waste bergs floating across our oceans, fewer animal fatalities due to the vast numbers of plastic, reduced pollution and better quality of air.
Not only this, but promoting the use of alternative plastics now, could be the start of entering a world where our children thrive in a circular economy that will make our world grow.
Where Can I find the Disposable Plastic Cups?
Although the best way to improve your carbon footprint would be to use re-useable cups such as glass, if that is not an option then your next best solution is your plant-based alternatives.
You should be able to find your plant-based alternative plastic cups directly at BioPoly Lab or through your local café: most chain cafes promote their own re-useable alternatives to the plastic cup. So, if you’re unable to get your hands on your corn-starch, paper and an IngeoTM lining cup, just know that our forward-thinking society has got you covered.
So, get your sustainable beer-pong game on!
