The Unintended Consequences of Bioplastics: How Paper Cups Can Be Equally Harmful as Their Plastic Counterparts

The Unintended Consequences of Bioplastics: How Paper Cups Can Be Equally Harmful as Their Plastic Counterparts

While paper cups are increasingly supplanting plastic ones in the market as an ostensibly “eco-friendly” option, evidence suggests that they may also pose threats to living organisms due to their plastic coatings. Source: Olof Lönnehed

The transition from single-use plastic cups to paper alternatives is fraught with complications. A study conducted by the University of Gothenburg reveals that paper cups discarded in the environment can also be detrimental, as they contain toxic chemicals.

With growing awareness of plastic pollution’s ubiquitous impact on Earth and all its inhabitants, the search for alternative materials has intensified. Nowadays, takeaway lattes from your local kiosk are likely to come in paper cups, sometimes even complemented by paper lids. Nevertheless, these cups may also pose dangers to living organisms if they find their way into the natural world. This has been corroborated by a research study at the University of Gothenburg, which assessed the effects of various disposable cup materials on butterfly mosquito larvae.

According to Bethanie Carney Almroth, Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Gothenburg’s Department of Biology and Environmental Science, “We immersed both paper and plastic cups in wet sediment and water for several weeks to observe the impact of the chemicals leached from these materials on mosquito larvae. The results indicated that all cups had a detrimental effect on the growth of the larvae.”

The Complex Nature of Paper Cup Composition

Paper, in itself, lacks resistance to both fat and water. Therefore, food packaging paper is often treated with a surface coating, generally a plastic film, to make it more resilient. Increasingly, this plastic film is made from polylactide (PLA), a kind of bioplastic derived from renewable resources like corn, cassava, or sugarcane, as opposed to fossil fuels that constitute 99% of today’s plastics. Although PLA is often touted as biodegradable, the study suggests that it retains toxic properties.

Bethanie Carney Almroth states, “Bioplastics do not decompose efficiently when they enter natural environments, particularly water. This raises the possibility of these plastics persisting in nature, where they could break down into microplastics, which are harmful to animals and potentially humans. In terms of chemical composition, bioplastics are comparable to traditional plastics.”

Risks Posed by Food Packaging Materials

“Many chemicals found in plastics are recognized as harmful, while we lack sufficient data on others. Paper packaging presents its own set of health risks when compared to other materials. Human exposure to these toxic substances occurs through contact with food,” states Bethanie Carney Almroth.

Carney Almroth and her team have published their findings in a scientific journal called Environmental Pollution. They argue that sweeping changes are imperative to address the ongoing environmental and health crises precipitated by plastic pollution.

Bethanie Carney Almroth suggests, “A cultural shift away from disposable lifestyles is critical. Opting for a reusable mug for your takeaway coffee or spending a few minutes to enjoy your beverage in a porcelain mug are preferable alternatives.”

Global Initiatives Against Plastic Pollution

At present, negotiations are ongoing under the auspices of the United Nations to formulate a binding treaty aimed at eradicating plastic pollution. Carney Almroth is part of a scientific council known as SCEPT—Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty—that is contributing evidence to inform these negotiations. The council advocates for a rapid phase-out of problematic and unnecessary plastics and cautions against substituting one harmful product for another.

“The primary focus of SCEPT is to compel transparency in the plastics industry, necessitating detailed chemical reporting similar to pharmaceutical standards. The ultimate aim, however, is to minimize plastic production,” concludes Bethanie Carney Almroth.

Reference: “Single-use take-away cups of paper are as toxic to aquatic midge larvae as plastic cups” by Bethanie Carney Almroth, Alice Carle, Marion Blanchard, Francesca Molinari, and Agathe Bour, published on 16 May 2023 in Environmental Pollution.
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121836

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bioplastics and Environmental Impact

More about Bioplastics and Environmental Impact

• University of Gothenburg Research Study
• Environmental Pollution Journal Article
• Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (SCEPT)
• United Nations Plastic Pollution Initiatives
• Bioplastics: An Overview
• Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging
• Global Efforts to Combat Plastic Pollution
• Polylactide (PLA) Bioplastics
• Disposable Cups and Environmental Impact
• Renewable Resources and Bioplastics