Paper Cups

[Rain]

Hi,

  I just wondered if anyone knew whether the paper cups that are described as 'disposable', the ones that are waxed or whatever it is they put on them to contain hot drinks, etc, are compostable? I mean home compost too. Thanks a lot to anyone who can advise! :)

[Rain]

[kenkew]

I thought they were all plastic these days, Rain. I doubt they would break down in a compost heap, maybe better off as seedling pots?

[cambourne7]

yes i think the wax cover adds a chemical issue and delays the breakdown of the plastic.

You might try googling but i think they would be better as seed pots.

[Rain]

That's a shame, it's a bother trying to take a china mug over to the allotment every time just to have a cuppa! I was hoping I could buy a stack of 'paper' cups and throw them in the compost heap at the end... wishful thinking!

[Weed-Digga]

Rain - I bought 50 polystyrene cups from the 99p Store, I use them for my hot drink, rinse them out, and then use them for seedlings.

[Rain]

Thanks Weed-Digga, that's a good idea, but earlier this year I bought a load of pots on ebay and have them coming out of my ears, so I'm still after a way I can be eco-friendly and compost... though I think the answer will probably be to just use a normal mug and carry it to and from the allotment.

[SnooziSuzi]

I took a mug to the lottie today and used a camping stove to boil some water up for a coffee.

Now all I have to do is to get used to the taste of coffee mate and I'll be made!

[Weed-Digga]

Snoozisuzi - I buy 'Nescafe 3 in 1' (Coffee, Whitener & Sugar) or '2 in 1' (Coffee and Whitener) - 10 little sachet/tubes from 99p Store and take a flask of boiling water. Not great but better than nothing!

p.s. I do sometimes go to other shops - honest!!

[Deb P]

Of course one only drinks one's 'char' from a proper china cup........ ;D

[Rain]

Of course one only drinks one's 'char' from a proper china cup........ ;D

If that's to me, I said 'china' because I couldn't think what else it was made from at the time...  :-[  ;D

[cambourne7]

Of course one only drinks one's 'char' from a proper china cup........ ;D

Wrong, i take a flask of hot water and a proper china mug (only because it came with a lid) and not only is it made of china but i bought it in china :)

[Rain]

Wow, that's really authentic then!

[steveuk]

i just get on me mobile and summons the wife to bring me hot drink in flask,

to-date i havent had one yet, can not seem to figure why,  ;D ;D ;D

[Uncle Joshua]

I'm so sad, I had a mug made with my forum sig on it.

[kenkew]

Not as sad as my Twiggy mug... :D

[RosieMcPosie]

rain, i was in tesco last night and they have started to do a new enviromentally friendly range, you can buy a packet of bio-degradeable cups for £2. they also so bowls, plates, boxes etc.

[markfield rover]

snoozisuzi,I don't like coffee mate so I'make'do with Baileys!

[RosieMcPosie]

hehe, a man after my own heart there!

[Rain]

rain, i was in tesco last night and they have started to do a new enviromentally friendly range, you can buy a packet of bio-degradeable cups for £2. they also so bowls, plates, boxes etc.

Thanks RosieMcPosie... do you reckon you can put hot drinks in bio-degradable? Worth a try though, I'll look out for them.  :)

[Melbourne12]

rain, i was in tesco last night and they have started to do a new enviromentally friendly range, you can buy a packet of bio-degradeable cups for £2. they also so bowls, plates, boxes etc.

I bought some of their paper plates, and they're fine for hot food, so I guess the cups would be fine for hot drinks.

But they are expensive!  I don't know if there are more cups to a packet, but for plates and bowls, you only get 10 for your 2 quid!

And I was talking to someone recently who had seen a demo of biodegradeable beakers for use in coffee shops like Starbucks.  Instead of wax or plastic, they use cornstarch. But even in bulk they cost 23p each.