Discussions

I see plenty of paper cups littered around our city. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and McDonalds in particular. Far more than I see plastic bags blowing around (which is bad too).  
 
Paper cups cannot be recycled.  
 
Reusable cups are a simple solution.  
 
I'll never understand how Tim Hortons brands itself as having the most "Canadian" identity ever, yet many of the people who drink it don't bat an eye about littering their cups. (Not everyone of course, but without a doubt there is a litter issue when it comes to paper cups).  
 
I have gone for walks with garbage bags to tidy up our streets.

Bio degradable would likely be the most practical.  
 
That being said, if a person plans to pick up some "timmies", how hard is it to bring a mug? Its not a perfect solution for people travelling, but maybe if you don't have a reusable cup you have to pay a premium for something bio degradable? Not sure, but I know i'd be willing to pay a little more for a bio degradable cup.  
 
I'm totally open to suggestions too. I think the big corporations need to take responsibility and come up with a solution.  
 
How many paper cups have been sold in the last 10 days across North America? Probably an astounding amount. They will all go to the landfill or become litter.

I agree that biodegradable would be the better option. Many people go for coffee spontaneously and it seems unreasonable to expect people to carry a clean travel mug around all the time "just in case" (though people should be making more effort to bring reusable containers when they know they're going to be going for coffee).  
 
I agree that paper cups are a huge problem, and in fact I take a lot more issue with them than plastic bags. Plastic bags are more functional and everybody I know reuses them either for garbage, cat litter, or even just reusing them for more groceries. Paper cups on the other hand really have no other practical function than holding a drink once. I can't even think of any other possible use than maybe an arts and crafts project.  
 
The biggest issue with biodegradable items is that a lot of them are only conditionally biodegradable. A business that I worked at had "compostable" plastic cups, but they needed to be processed at a special facility that we don't have here, so they ended up as garbage anyways that won't break down easily on its own.

I live along the highway to Shilo, and clean up the 500 yards or so of my frontage/ ditch along the highway about 2 or 3 times a year. Tim Horton's cups are by far the most picked up item. I would love to see Tim Hortons (and others) add a refundable deposit to their disposable cups....hopefully the drivers would keep their cup and exchange it on their next purchase.

I use my travel cup when going out. When I buy coffee for customers how does one expect to do that? Many people get extra coffee for friends and such. How is one to get someone coffee then?

its good that we have them , an its not fault of the the company for haven them . paper cups break down faster than stiyofoarm cups .  
Also the liter is from people not from the companies .

Cups for credit on next purchase will not work because the coffee shops do not want used cups returned. Even when you do up the rim to win-you have to cut off that litter win piece because they will not accept the whole cup.  
 
Litter would not be a problem if people were not so lazy. How hard is it to dispose of garbage properly rather than tossing it out the car window?

Put a "tax" or "levy" on paper cups. Its what's happening with plastic bags right now! If you want a plastic bag, it costs 5 cents. If you bring your own, no fees. It encourages you to bring your own bags.  
 
Put a 25 cent fee or a percentage fee on every paper cup. If you want to avoid the fee, bring your own mug or reuse your paper cup.

Styrofoam cups are terrible and should be completely banned. Paper cups are definitely better than styrofoam, without a doubt. The problem with paper cups is they are lined with plastic (which is why they aren’t recyclable).  
 
It’s just disappointing to see how many end up on our streets, and even in the Brandon hills!  
 
And like another poster mentioned, they have a very short life cycle. One use, that’s it. At least plastic bags have a possibility to be used again (I reuse mine for kitty litter and as my garbage bags).  
 
Our society needs to get off the “disposable” train. It’s convenient but it’s lazy.

Cassie has it right. It is total laziness on the part of people and disrespect for anyone else.  
I have seen so many people just open their windows and throw their cups or bags of garbage out on the ground. Most of those people will be close to a garbage can within a couple of minutes and can easily dispose of the garbage properly.  
I have seen people within reach of the trash can and still throw it on the ground. If you are one of these inconsiderate slobs, make sure you lock your vehicle door as you leave because I have will and have picked up your garbage and put it on your drivers seat and I encourage others to do the same then maybe these dirty slobs will learn to be human

A lot is made about poverty being the root of social problems. I taught for several years and noticed often it was those from affluent homes who were careless.  
 
Many people, and I am not talking about youth are careless about their property and that of others. People who grew up poor know firsthand what it is to have to do without. They put their things away. Their yards and houses are kept clean. They often are the ones who carry a bag and pick up trash.  
 
If our Prime Minister keeps spending our tax dollars, society will be saved as we all will be poor.

very true , an like i said its not the companies fault with the liter , its a human an one those do not respect are area or city . its them that ruin are eco system not just a cup or plastic bag , its all in the hands of people .

I would like to see a move to biodegradable products as opposed to ban this and ban that. Somebody definitely needs to come up with a better disposable straw cause those cardboard ones totally ruin the drink, and I am not about to carry a straw everywhere I go. I have no issues with recycling, start supplying cups, straws, bags that are recyclable and I think the overall success rate would be higher.

I sit in at Tim’s/Starbucks all the time and have never been offered a “real cup”, they always just give me a to-go cup.  
 
A total ban on coffee cups is definitely not the answer. It’s not practical, especially when travelling as previously mentioned. Biodegradable is the way to go IMO  
 
Edited by Just_a_girl_, 2019-12-22 19:30:17

I guess that's why they always taught me to make sweeping generalizations anda avoid critical thinking when I was in school. Good points, comrade.

Maybe rethink what you wrote, OP... by its very essence, paper is biodegradable. Yes it is unsightly as litter, but it will eventually break down whereas styrofoam cups will not. (Although yes plastic liners inside will not but not all paper cups have those). There are two separate issues being discussed here: one is banning non-biodegradable items, the other is litter.  
 
Edited by axana596, 2019-12-23 07:21:48

Banning single-use paper cups isn't a terrible idea. The paper isn't necessarily an issue (assuming it's from recycled sources), it's the plastic lining and lid. Different topic. But not really.  
 
But I agree with the convenience factor. Reusable cups get forgotten. However, biodegradable materials and a monetary incentive would go a long way towards making this more palatable to consumers.  
 
If the purchase of a reusable mug comes with a free cup of coffee or 2, and having a mug comes with a slight discount (the store saves a bit on material), why not?

I hate the garbage factor too - so much litter!!  
 
But I worry that an all out ban on single use plastics is an epidemic waiting to happen. It has been reported on for many years that many diseases like SARS and other flu like contagions are spread through use of things like improperly washed chopsticks, which is why we have disposable ones.  
 
Remember a few years back the recall because kids were getting impaled by the metal Starbucks straws? Not to mention even with a straw cleaning brush my guess is they are never really clean.  
 
Coffee cups too - my parents used them religiously before is was "cool" to do so, but they were always disgusting and filthy in my opinion. They'd rinse them out in the bathroom and refill them. I'm shocked they didn't get ill, let alone the poor workers behind the counter who had to handle these things.  
 
I agree biodegradable might be better, but just like everything, if we hastily jump to biodegradable without thought, there is no guarantee the replacement will not be worse than the plastic.

Just my two sense but anyone been to a major city where there are literally garbage cans on almost every major street corner and a few in and around businesses and schools. Maybe that’s part of the issue. The other part is laziness and or accidents happen. As for paper cups sometimes there is no choice, I’m surprised more people aren’t complaining about “ Solo “ cups which are all plastic. What about alternatives like hemp plastics for to go cups?

The liner in paper cups takes years to biodegrade and when it finally does, it comes micro-plastic which is an environmental disaster.  
 
The lids are another problem too. Pure plastic.  
 
On top of which, unfortunately, these cups end up as litter far too often.  
 
Billions are used every year.  
 
But yes, there are two separate issues like you said. A littering issue and a consumption issue.  
 
https://www.earthday.org/fact-sheet-how-much-disposable-plastic-we-use/  
 
https://us.ecoffeecup.com/about-us-2/nine-alarming-facts-about-single-use-cups/?ph=5bb166fbad318a7b891ca9bd

Yesterday at polo park mall I got a straw at subway and it was made of paper. It wasn't plastic. Plastic is non decomposable.

No.....