Disposable Paper Cups Release Massive Amounts of Microplastics

Although primarily made of paper, disposable paper cups feature a thin plastic lining—typically polyethylene or biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)—to enhance water resistance and structural integrity. Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that these cups release substantial amounts of micro- and nanoplastics when exposed to hot water. Measurements revealed that PLA-lined cups contain approximately 4.

3 million nanoparticles per milliliter, while PE-lined cups contain about 2.7 million. The total number of plastic particles released by PLA cups is 12 times that of PE cups.

The study further confirms that new plastic products used for food storage and preparation are a significant source of human exposure to plastics through ingestion.

https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-08-takeaway-cups-release-microplastics-your-coffee