Frequently Asked Questions

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Where can I buy compostable PLA hot cups?
You can buy these compostable cups from our distributor network or order directly if your expected quantities will be low (www.ecoproductsstore.com). Ask your local distributor to contact Eco-Products at 303-449-1876 for more information.

Q - What makes this cup different?
Most paper hot cups are lined with a petroleum-based plastic (polyethylene) designed to prevent leaking. The new PLA-based hot cups are lined with a bio-polymer. This bio-plastic is made from corn, a sustainable product. A great step forward toward a more sustainable future.

Q - Is there any performance difference between the PLA hot cups and conventional hot cups?
The new PLA hot cups will perform identically to their non eco-friendly alternative. In fact, a field test involving more than 5 million of the PLA compostable hot cups showed identical performance to polyethylene lined hot cups. Consumers will like using a product that is helping the environment.

Q - Will the corn-based lining dissolve in contact with hot coffee?
No. The inner lining is made using a modified bio-resin called polylactic acid (PLA). This resin is unaffected by beverage temperature. But because it is a bio-resin, it will naturally decompose by common microbes found in nature. Because of this, these new cups are 100% compostable in a commercial composting facility.

Q - Is bio-plastic made from corn safe?
Corn is turning into a real miracle material. The bio-plastic used for cups and food package is made from corn and is safe. It is FDA approved. Corn bio-plastic has been used in the food packaging industry for several years.

Q - Does the new PLA hot cup contain any post-consumer recycled content?
At the moment, the new PLA hot cup does not have post-consumer material. It is hoped in the future this cup will contain recycled content. For now, it is great knowing that these new cups are "petroleum" free in terms of the inner lining.

Q - I thought all hot cups were biodegradable. Isn't this true?
Unfortunately, no. While it is true that paper is compostable, cups that are lined with petro-based plastic can not biodegrade nor are they fully compostable. This new corn-based coating meets the Biodegradable Products Institute and ASTM standards for compostability.

Q - Why don't you describe the PLA hot cup as biodegradable?
Currently there is not an accepted standard for classifying a material as being fully biodegradable. As such, the FTC cautions against using the term as a product description. Because the PLA hot cup does meet ASTM and BPI standards for compostability we do use the term "compostable" to describe a process in which the PLA hot cup is compostable within proper environmental conditions. This classification is important as it gives the PLA hot cup certain advantages over its conventional counter part.

Q - Does the cup cost more than conventional hot cups?
For the moment, yes. But we expect this to change in the future. As more people move to use these new cups and as the cost of oil increases, these new cups will become even more competitive in the future.