Q - Where can I buy compostable PLA hot cups?
You can buy these compostable cups from, www.ecoproducts.com and www.biodegradablestore.com.  In addition, Eco-Products will be distributing these compostable cups nationally through our distributor network in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, California and other markets.  Ask your local distributor to contact Eco-Products at 303-449-1876 for more information. 

Q - What makes this cup different?
Most paper hot cups are lined with a petroleum-based plastic (polyethylene) designed to prevent leaking.  The new PLA-based hot cups are lined with a bio-polymer.  This bio-plastic is made from corn, a sustainable product.  In fact, these new hot cups are the only paper hot cup on the market made fully from renewable materials.  A great step forward toward a more sustainable future.

Q - Is there any performance difference between the PLA hot cups and conventional hot cups?
The new PLA hot cups will perform identically to their non eco-friendly alternative.  In fact, a field test involving more than 5 million of the PLA compostable hot cups showed identical performance to polyethylene lined hot cups.  Consumers will be please to be using a product that is helping the environment.

Q - Will the corn-based lining dissolve in contact with hot coffee?
No. The inner lining is made using a modified bio-resin called polylactic acid (PLA).  This resin is unaffected by beverage temperature.  But because it is a bio-resin, it will naturally decompose by common microbes found in nature.  Because of this, these new cups are 100% compostable.

Q - Is bio-plastic made from corn safe?
Corn is turning into a real miracle material.  The bio-plastic used for cups and food package is made from corn and is safe.  It is FDA approved.  Corn bio-plastic has been used in the food packaging industry for several years.

Q - Does the new PLA hot cup contain any post-consumer recycled content?
At the moment, the new PLA hot cup do not have post-consumer material.  It is hoped in the future this cup will contain recycled content.  For now, it is great knowing that these new cups are "petroleum" free in terms of the inner lining.

Q - I thought all hot cups were biodegradable.  Isn't this true?
Unfortunately, no.  While it is true that paper is biodegradable, cups that are lined with petro-based plastic can not biodegrade nor are they fully 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 the new PLA hot cup be recycled?
There is no problem recycling the new PLA hot cups using the bio-plastic lining.  Any municipalities that accepts poly-coated paperboard and packaging will accept this product.  If you have questions about recycling this cup in your area, it will be best to contact your local recycling program administrator.  Please click on the composting link to learn more about composting facilities in your area.

Q - Why don't you describe the PLA hot cup as biodegradable?
Currently there is not an accepted standard for classifying a material as being fully biodegradable.  As such, the FTC cautions against using the term as a product description.  Because the PLA hot cup does meet ASTM standards for compostability we do use the term "compostable" to describe a process in which the PLA hot cup is compostable within proper environmental conditions.  This classification is important as it gives the PLA hot cup certain advantages over its conventional counter part.

Q - Will there soon be a PLA hot cup lid?
Hopefully yes.  The form and function for a hot cup lid produces challenges that make using bio-plastic not an option at this time.  But other crops may hold a solution.  Soy is one such crop that looks promising.  When it is felt that a new bio-plastic lid performs as good or better than a conventional lid, rest assured we will bring it to the market as soon as possible.

Q - Does the cup cost more than conventional hot cups?
For the moment, yes.  But we expect this to change in the future.  As more people move to use these new cups and as the cost of oil increases, these new cups will become even more competitive in the future.