“Coffee to go” has become part of the daily routine for 64% of Canadians, which averages out to about a barrel of coffee (152.1 litres) per year for every Canadian! When it comes to buying coffee at food service outlets, Canadians are actually number one in the world. As a result, we throw away 1.6 billion disposable coffee cups every year – which is the equivalent to wasting 350,000 trees and 400 million gallons of water! Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is addressing the need to reduce cup waste through the development and launch of its Bio Natura Cup, a cup that takes only 12 weeks to fully biodegrade. It can replace the traditional to-go cup while eliminating the taxing impact they have on the environment.
“Many consumers may be shocked to learn that paper cups are not always sustainable,” said Ian Lifshitz, APP’s North American Vice-President of Sustainability. “The plastic or wax lining designed for heat protection is not recyclable and incredibly difficult to remove. The cups are not even compostable as they take hundreds of years to biodegrade. This type of fast bio-degradable cup is a game-changer for the food and beverage marketplace. ” While it appears consumers are keen to support environment-friendly initiatives, according to a recent survey sponsored by APP Canada, some manufacturers have been slow to find ways to produce a better disposable cup. “The goal for paper companies must be to create containers that are eco-friendly, retain functionality and don’t increase costs,” Lifshitz added. “Our Bio Natura Cup is the answer. It can be used for hot drinks and food snacks, and is completely biodegradable. Biodegradable cups are a necessary step to support and enhance recycling efforts.”
APP launches bio-degradable cups
