Biodegradable coated paper cup is an environmentally friendly beverage packaging product that combines traditional paper containers with modern biodegradable technology. It uses natural plant fibres as the main raw material, such as wood pulp or bamboo pulp, to make the cup body, and coats its inner surface with a film with biodegradable properties, i.e. biodegradable coating. Typically made from biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), starch-based plastics or other bio-based macromolecules, the coating is designed to provide impermeability similar to that of traditional petroleum-based plastic coatings (e.g., polyethylene PE coatings) while ensuring that it can be broken down by microorganisms quickly and completely after use and returned to the natural environment.
Features
- Environmentally friendly: The core advantage of biodegradable coated paper cups is their environmental friendliness. Unlike traditional non-biodegradable plastic coated paper cups, they can be decomposed by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide and biomass under specific conditions (e.g. in industrial composting facilities or in suitable soil environments) after use, avoiding "white pollution" in the environment for a long period of time.
- Resource sustainability: Biodegradable coating materials are often derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, sugar cane, etc., which reduces dependence on fossil fuels and helps to achieve a lower carbon footprint and resource recycling.
- Food safety: Biodegradable materials used for coatings usually meet food contact safety standards, are non-toxic and odourless, and do not contain harmful chemicals, which can effectively prevent direct contact between beverages and paper cups, and safeguard consumers' dietary safety.
- Functionality: Biodegradable coatings have good waterproof and oilproof performance, which can effectively prevent liquid penetration, maintain the strength and stability of the paper cups, and ensure that the drinks remain in their original state for a certain period of time to meet the demand for instant drinking.
- Sensory experience: Some bio-based coating materials may carry unique odour or texture, such as the aforementioned corn starch-based biodegradable cups with a faint popcorn aroma, which enhances the product features and user experience.
Applications
- Catering service industry: coffee shops, tea shops, fast food chains and other catering establishments widely use biodegradable coated paper cups as disposable beverage containers, responding to the requirements of environmental protection policies, enhancing brand image, and also meeting consumers' expectations for green consumption.
- Large-scale activities and events: For example, the UK has launched environmentally friendly biodegradable paper cups, specially customised for Red Bull soft drinks, which are suitable for large-scale outdoor activities, music festivals, sports games and other occasions, providing a large-scale temporary beverage supply while ensuring easy waste management and minimising the impact on the environment.
- Office and home scenarios: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, biodegradable coated paper cups have been chosen by more and more enterprises and individuals as disposable cups for office drinking, family gatherings or picnics, which are convenient, practical and conducive to waste classification and disposal.
- Organic waste recycling system: Organic waste recycling programmes in some regions encourage the use of biodegradable products, including coated paper cups. These cups can be composted in designated organic waste collection systems and converted into valuable fertilisers for effective recycling of resources.
