Environmental Implications of Paper cups

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Disposable Paper Cups. What are the environmental implications?

Chemicals

Chlorine dioxide in production (Gehrman, 2014).

Polyethylene in the cup (Gehrman, 2014).

Pollution

Pollution caused by logging

Water Pollution

Chlorine dioxide is used with water in the production of paper cups. Can be harmful, if disposed of incorrectly (Gehrman, 2014).

Land pollution

Pollution caused by production of the cups

227Kgs of greenhouse gas emissions are released for every 10,000 cups released (Gehrman, 2014).

6.5 million BTUs, equivalent to 245Kgs of coal is used in the production of 10,000 paper cups (Gehrman, 2014).

Landfill

Australians use 1,000,000,000 coffee cups each year (Whyte, 2016).

20 year decompasition time (Gehrman, 2014).

Not recyclable everywhere

Sustainable Options

Are foam cups a better option?

Foam takes over 1,000,000 years to decompose, 50 years to decompose if in water. However, harmful to marine life (Gehrman, 2014).

Less water involved in the creation of foam cups 17.973 liters to make Foam cups (Gehrman, 2014).

Lighter, Save on fuel when transported.

Travel Mugs

Resources

Water

30,643 liters of water to make 10,000 paper cups (Gehrman, 2014).

Wood

20,000,000 trees cut down annually (Gehrman, 2014).

Fuel (for transportation)