Eco Clear Disposable Plastic Cups and Lids

Biodegradable plastic cups, like ours, are typically made from organic, plant-derived materials like polylactic acid (PLA), which is extracted from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or potatoes.

These cups are designed to break down naturally over time without leaving harmful microplastics or leaching toxic chemicals into the environment. This makes them a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic cups for businesses seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. Find out more about biodegradable packaging.

The longevity of biodegradable cups can vary depending on several factors, including the specific materials used in their production, the manufacturing process, and the conditions they are exposed to during use and disposal. Generally, biodegradable cups have a shelf life of about 12 months, if not years, when stored properly, out of direct sunlight, and below 35°C.

Both biodegradable and recycled plastic cups offer environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional single-use plastic cups, but they do differ in their approach to sustainability.

Recycled plastic cups use plastic waste that has been collected and processed to create new products. This prevents plastic waste from being dumped in landfills or incinerated, which produces toxic chemicals, metals, and air pollutants. However, you can only recycle plastic once or twice before it becomes unsuitable for further repurposing.

Biodegradable plastic cups offer a more sustainable solution then recycled plastic cups. They are designed to break down naturally without leaving behind harmful residues or chemicals. This reduces the need for energy-intensive recycling processes as well as the overall environmental impact of the product’s lifecycle.

Read more about the benefits of plant-based biodegradable packaging.

Our eco-clear plastic cups are designed for cold drinks only, like smoothies, fresh juices, milkshakes, and iced coffees. If you’re looking for eco-friendly cups for hot drinks, you can order our recyclable paper cups, which are perfect for hot drinks, including teas, coffees, hot chocolates and a whole range of other hot beverages.

Once discarded, the decomposition process can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the specific conditions and the type of biodegradable material used. Our biodegradable cups, made from plant-based materials like polylactic acid or polylactide, will naturally decompose in three to six months under the right conditions.

While the terms ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ are often used interchangeably, they refer to slightly different processes and end results. Biodegradable plastic cups can be decomposed by microbes and other natural biological processes, where exposure to moisture, air and earth elements speeds up the breakdown process. The disintegration process typically takes a little longer than that of compostable cups, depending on the materials used.

Compostable cups are made from organic materials. They are designed to decompose in around six to twelve weeks under the right conditions. This has the twofold advantage of disintegrating quickly and enhancing soil quality, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic cups.

It’s important to note that while all compostable materials are biodegradable, not all biodegradable materials are necessarily compostable. This is why it’s important to choose biodegradable plastic cups made using organic, plant-based materials, as these cups break down more quickly and safely without releasing toxic substances.

You can learn more about the differences between biodegradable and compostable packaging here.