Highlights and Recommendations Key Features The specific product researched in this project is one-way PLA (polylactic acid) plastic cups. However, the energy cost associated with manufacturing these cups might be higher than those of the traditional cups due to different production method and there is no mass demand on these cups on the current market as well. Also, no harmful substance is released during its use and disposal. Biodegradable cups are environmentally friendly since no petroleum is used as a direct material source. These materials are derived from renewable sources such as starch and vegetable oil and can be decomposed into the water, carbon dioxide and non-toxic compounds at the end of their life stage. It is made of biodegradable plastics that can be broken down by enzyme-producing organisms. The design alternative 2 is Biodegradable coffee cup. It can also make fiber for polyester products.

One of the uses for a recycled PET is for the manufacture of polar fleece material. It is strong, impact-resistant and naturally colorless with high transparency. PET is a very lightweight material and makes a good gas and moisture barrier. The design alternative 1 is the coffee cup made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In Nova Scotia, Tim Hortons cups accounted for 22% of all identifiable waste. According to the survey, Tim Hortons is a significant contributor to North America's litter pollution levels. According to a 2004 litter survey conducted by Nova Scotia's Department of Environment and Labour, Tim Hortons' disposable cups are the most common item littering public spaces. The non-recyclable and non-biodegradable disposable paper cups from Tim Hortons have introduced serious environmental impacts and societal concerns. Nevertheless, the companyвЂ™s official website states that Tim Hortons is always exploring alternative packaging materials, particularly those that are recyclable or biodegradable. At present, Tim HortonsвЂ™ paper cups are not recyclable or biodegradable because they contain a plastic liner and are varnished in wax. The baseline alternative is the disposable paper cup currently being used in Tim Hortons in North America. (3) PLA cup which is derived from renewable sources such as corn oil, starch and is able to be biodegraded at the end life stage. (2) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic cup. The three proposed designs are (1) Disposable paper cup that is currently being used in Tim HortonвЂ™s in North America. Three kinds of the disposable coffee cup made in different materials are comprehensively analyzed in this project. In addition, detailed cost analysis and societal analysis will also be conducted to see the trade-offs between the environment and other important design factors. The objective of this project is to investigate the entire life cycle of all three kinds of coffee cups and their environmental impacts through EIOLCA and SLCA. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look into the various environmental impacts caused by different kinds of disposable cups. All processes from the collection of raw materials to manufacturing, then to public use, and finally the productвЂ™s disposal stage, would create an impact on the environment. According to statistics in 1997, the world consumes more than 300 billion disposable cups every year. The usage of the disposable coffee cups creates a significant impact to the environment. After 100 years, in 2009, disposable coffee cups are widely used in the public service. In 1909, Lackawanna, the first railway company began to use disposable paper cups. This shared-use caused public health concerns.

This page is part of the Design for the Environment courseД®arly in the 20th century, it was common to have shared glasses or wood cups at public water sources such as trains, schools and subway stations.

Drink paper cup design