Frugalpac recyclable cups have plastic that washes away
British firm Frugalpac has developed a brand new system for paper coffee cups that allows for the cups to be included in normal recycling bins and collections.
Made without the standard chemicals used to bond the thin plastic liner film to the inside of the cup, preventing the paper cup from soaking up liquid and weakening the cup structure, this new process should help decrease the amount of cups being seen in landfills.
Approximately 2.5 billion paper coffee cups are used in Britain each year, with only 1 in 400 of these ever being recycled.
Unfortunately the process of making a coffee cup means that non-recyclable materials have to be used, which is what has prompted companies like Frugalpac to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.
When a standard paper cup is made, the thin plastic layer inside the cup is hard-bonded to the paper structure to ensure no leakage, and prevent the cup from becoming soft.
Specialist recycling facilities are needed to break these cups down, and this takes a lot more energy and resource than a standard paper recycling plant.
Frugalpac have changed this scenario by forming the paper cup, then adding the thin plastic layer with an extremely thin glue layer.
This process means that we can use the cups much like before, but the recycling process becomes easier, as the plastic layer can be removed quickly and easily when compared to our regular coffee cups.
One week today to our @frugalpac launch. Just taking some pics! pic.twitter.com/FPdhFLpuzb
— frugalpac (@frugalpac) July 14, 2016
A regular paper mill can recycle cups without specialist equipment as the plastic is removed during the standard cleaning process.
Only 2 specialist recycling plants in the United Kingdom can process and recycle our standard takeaway coffee cup.
Frugalpac cups are an excellent way to help reduce our regular waste, whilst also increasing the lifespan of a paper cup without changing the look and feel of what we are used to.
As with all things sustainable and recycled, we love it!
For more information on the Frugalpac cup please visit: www.frugalpac.com