Across both Australia and New Zealand, we drink over 1.3 billion cups of coffee a year. In Australia, we drink around 2.7 million cups of coffee every single day. Coffee is such a large part of our morning routines that the Australian and New Zealand coffee market recorded a revenue of over 5 billion dollars (AUD) in 2020. So, it’s no surprise that as the coffee market grows, sustainable innovations are being seen in the commonly used disposable coffee cups.
Your traditional disposable coffee cup is lined with polyethylene, a waterproof plastic. During the manufacturing process, this plastic liner is laminated to the paper cup to ensure that it holds moisture without losing structure.
So, is there a sustainable alternative to this plastic lining that is still durable and waterproof?
Innovation in the coffee cup space has led to several alternative linings. The most common sustainable alternative is to use a bio-plastic lining like polylactic acid (PLA) or bio-based polybutylene succinate (BioPBS) derived from renewable plant-based resources. Disposable paper coffee cups laminated with bio-plastic lining are compostable in commercial facilities under specific conditions, and are a great alternative to traditional plastic.
Now – the latest innovation! A water-based barrier coating.
A water-based barrier coating is applied to the paper cup, allowing the cup to maintain its structural integrity when holding liquid – eliminating the need for a separate plastic lining.
What else is there to consider in terms of innovative options when it comes to the disposable coffee cup? The lid! Pulp lids are a sustainable alternative to the usual plastic coffee cup lid. Sugarcane pulp, known as “bagasse”, is the fibrous residue left over after the sugarcane has been crushed and the sugar extracted. It is a by-product of sugarcane production that would otherwise be treated as waste. Made from a renewable material, and also commercially compostable after use, these lids move us another step closer to a more sustainable future.
Sustain’s new aqueous hot cups are constructed with unbleached kraft-look paper, complete with an internal water-based barrier coating. The hot cups are available in single and double wall variants, in 4 oz, 6oz, 8oz, 8oz wide, 12oz and 16oz, with pulp or PLA lids.
So now – the solution is in your hands.
[1] https://www.ibisworld.com/nz/market-size/cafes-restaurants/
[2] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/australia-coffee-market#:~:text=The%20Australian%20coffee%20market%20recorded,coffee%20via%20online%20delivery%20channels.
