Plastic cup

File:Plastic cups.jpg

Assorted plastic cups

A plastic measuring cup

A plastic cup is a cup made out of plastic. It is most commonly used as a container to hold beverages. Some are reusable while others are intended for a single use followed by recycling or disposal.

Distinguishing features

Plastic cups come in a variety of colours, textures and sizes.

Uses

File:RedPlasticCup.jpg

A red plastic cup with a drinking straw.

Plastic cups are often used for gatherings where it would be inconvenient to wash dishes afterward, due to factors such as location or number of guests. Plastic cups can be used for storing most liquids, but hot liquids may melt or warp the material.

Environmental issues

Most plastic cups are designed for single uses and then disposal or recycling. A life cycle inventory of a comparison of paper and plastic shows environmental effects of both with no clear winner.

Production of 1 tonne (0.98 long tons; 1.1 short tons) of plastic cup emits 135 pounds (61 kg) of green house gases.

The choice between paper cups and plastic cups resides in the life of the such after use. A paper cup may biodegrade faster than a Styrofoam cup or a plastic cup. In general cardboard or paper takes 1 to 3 months for biodegradation as the majority of the content, up to 95%, is made with wood chips. As for a plastic cup it can take up to 90 years, depending on the type of plastic.

Plastic cups are made with oil, which is not a renewable source, where paper could come from the 20% of this planets forest who fall under sustainable management.

Plastic cups, specially made with polystyrene are also a possible health hazard as chemicals may leach into the beverage. This is more likely to happen with warm drinks (hot chocolate, tea and coffee) than with cold drinks.

Further information: plastic waste, Great Pacific garbage patch, and marine debris

See also

• Coffee cup
• Cup drink
• Cup holder
• Paper cup
• Polylactic acid (used in making decomposable plastic cups)
• Pythagorean cup