Why choose recycling?
Disposable cups vs. reusable cups
There are many different views on disposable and reusable cups, but what does the research actually say? On this page, we review the current understanding of microplastic migration from food packaging, the differences between plastic-laminated disposable cups and reusable cups, and the considerations behind New Loop’s choice of materials.
Statement
“Plastic-laminated disposable paper cups pose a documented microplastic problem, as the thin plastic film on the inside breaks down on contact with hot drinks and releases microplastics and other substances. The same has not been demonstrated for intact PP reusable cups, which are made from a more robust, homogeneous material designed for repeated use – particularly not when the cup has only been used a few times and shows no visible wear.“
Disposable cup vs. Reusable cup
Microplastics from disposable cups are a well-documented challenge
Plastic-laminated disposable paper cups pose a documented problem because they typically consist of paper with a thin plastic film on the inside, which is intended to make the cup liquid-tight. According to studies, when this film is exposed to hot drinks, it breaks down and releases microplastic particles and other substances into the liquid. The problem is particularly linked to the fact that the thin plastic barrier is in direct contact with the hot drink and is designed only for short-term, single-use.
Studies has shown that the plastic film breaks down on contact with hot water at around 85–90 °C, releasing microplastic particles as well as ions and traces of heavy metals. In an often-quoted study Approximately 25,000 microplastic particles were measured in 100 ml of hot water after 15 minutes’ contact with a disposable paper cup. This makes plastic-laminated disposable paper cups a documented source of microplastic migration during normal use with hot drinks.
Designed for repeated use
No similar issue has been identified for reusable cups made from a durable polypropylene-based material, such as New Loops, provided the cup is intact and used within the number of usage cycles specified by the New Loop system (<20, average 7.9 times). New Loop’s reusable cup consists of not made of paper with a thin inner plastic film, but of a robust and homogeneous ISCC Plus certified material designed for repeated use, washing and circulation.
When the reusable cup shows no visible wear, cracks, rough surfaces or other material degradation, there is no obvious mechanism for rapid microplastic release, as is the case with a plastic-laminated disposable paper cup. This does not mean that migration can be ruled out entirely, but the known issue with disposable paper cups cannot be applied to an intact PP reusable cup with a “low” number of usage cycles.
The scientifically accurate assessment is therefore that plastic-laminated disposable paper cups pose a documented risk of microplastic migration when used with hot drinks, whilst there is no corresponding risk for intact PP reusable cups that have been used only a few times and show no visible wear and tear.
A deliberate choice of materials
Why not use steel or glass as the material?
New Loop is an impact company for which a low carbon footprint and low resource consumption are crucial. That is why the most important thing is not just that a cup should last a long time, but that it should quickly prove to be a better option than the single-use alternative in practice.
Steel and glass can be recycled many times, but they are heavy and energy-intensive to produce. They therefore typically require far more usage cycles before they offset their high production and transport footprints. For steel, the break-even point in some scenarios can be over 100 uses, whilst glass also has a negative impact due to its high weight and energy-intensive production.
New Loops cups are made from lightweight and durable PP using ISCC PLUS-certified material from Borealis. The cup is used only twice, resulting in a lower carbon footprint than the average disposable cup. The choice of material is therefore a conscious decision aimed at rapid CO₂ reduction, lower resource consumption and a solution that works in practice and makes a positive contribution to a circular takeaway system.
References
Studies of disposable paper cups have shown the migration of microplastics, ions and metals from the inner plastic film upon contact with hot water. A recent study reported via EurekAlert describes the degradation of the plastic lining at 85 °C and the release of microplastics and chemicals, whilst EFSA’s review of micro- and nanoplastics from food contact materials emphasises that particles may be released from materials during use, but that levels and risks depend heavily on the material, test method and conditions of use. EFSA also notes in general that chemicals from food contact materials can migrate into food and drink, and that safety assessments are based on migration and toxicological data.
Bornewables are ISCC PLUS-certified polyolefins based on renewable waste and residual streams, such as used cooking oil, with a reduced carbon footprint whilst maintaining material standards. The LCA literature generally emphasises that the break-even point for reuse depends heavily on material, weight, washing, transport, return rate and number of reuses; The JRC highlights precisely these parameters as crucial in the assessment of single-use versus reusable packaging. For steel and glass, the break-even figures vary considerably between studies and scenarios, but several reviews indicate that heavier materials typically require more uses than lightweight plastic-based solutions, and that, in some scenarios, steel may require over 100 uses to offset its production footprint.
