ecotainer™ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What makes this cup unique?
A - In a conventional paper hot cup, the inner surface is lined with a petroleum-based plastic (polyethylene) to prevent leaking. Our new cup is lined with a bio-plastic made from corn. That makes this the only paper hot cup made from fully renewable materials—a small but important step toward a more sustainable future.

Q - Will this cup perform the same as conventional cups?
A - Absolutely. More than thirty million of these cups have been used in the marketplace - five million in a blind trial lasting nearly six months. They performed comparable to the conventional cups. Consumers will notice no difference in their enjoyment of coffee with this cup—but the environment will.

Q - What prevents the corn-based lining from dissolving in contact with hot coffee?
A - The lining in this cup is based on a resin made from a new material, modified polylactic acid (PLA), that is unaffected by the temperature of the beverage. But, it can be consumed by microbes over time and break down into the components nature started with—water, carbon dioxide and organic matter.

Q - Is this new "bio-plastic" made from corn safe?
A - Yes.  The process used to make this material starts with corn, and ends with a non-toxic plastic similar to other materials used to package food. The material is FDA approved. Although this application (coating paperboard) is new, PLA material is in the market extensively in packaging produce and other food items. 

Q - Does the paperboard contain post-consumer recycled content?
A - Not at this point, we are continuing to investigate that possibility and may pursue it in the future. A prime concern was petroleum usage, and this product is making a difference—one cup at a time.

Q - What else makes this an "eco-friendly" cup?
A - The entire lifecycle of this cup is extraordinarily sensitive to the environmental footprint it creates—or prevents. The fiber used to make the cups is grown and harvested according to Sustainable Forestry Initiative guidelines, so there is no harvesting of old-growth forests. The raw material for the cup coating comes from corn grown in the United States, and is manufactured in a greenhouse-gas-neutral process. And, after use, under the proper conditions, the cup will break down into the natural elements from which it was produced. That’s why we feel it’s such a revolutionary eco-friendly hot cup.

Q - Aren't all hot paper cups biodegradable?
A - No.  Although paper is generally biodegradable, the conventional inside coating on hot cups prevents them from even being compostable. This new corn-based coating meets the ASTM standards for compostability, and a similar certification is pending from the Biodegradable Products Institute.

Q - Can this new corn-based cup liner be recycled?
A - Yes, in those municipalities that accept poly-coated paperboard and packaging.  Consumers should check with their local recycling program administrator to see if they have the capability to recycle this material.

Q - Does the cup cost more?
A - The cost of producing this new cup is somewhat higher.