Máquina de copo de papel Feenot
Papel versus plástico[editar]
UM life cycle inventory of a comparison of paper vs plastic cups shows environmental effects of both with no clear winner.[20]
Polietileno (Educação Física) is a petroleum-based coating on paper cups that can slow down the process of biodegrading of the paper it coats.
Ácido polilático (PLA) is a biodegradable bio-plastic coating used on some paper cups. PLA is a renewable resource and is certified compostable, o que significa que quando se biodegrada, não deixa resíduos tóxicos.[21] Embora os copos revestidos com PLA sejam os únicos copos de papel que podem ser totalmente compostados, eles podem contaminar o fluxo de resíduos, supostamente tornando outros plásticos reciclados invendáveis.[22]
All paper cups can only be recycled at a specialised treatment facility regardless of the lining.[23]
A number of cities – including Portland, Oregon — have banned XPS foam cups in take-out and fast food restaurants.[24]
