In an interview with RT, Yulia Filinskaya, Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Design, Packaging Technology and Expertise at ROSBIOTECH University, assessed the potential danger of single-use to-go coffee cups. “The outer part of a paper cup used in coffee shops is made of cardboard, which gives it shape, structural strength, and an aesthetic appearance. The density of this cardboard ranges from 150 to 350 grams per square meter. The inner layer is a thin polymer coating that prevents moisture absorption and ensures the airtightness of the entire structure. Without this barrier, it is impossible to hold the liquid: paper and cardboard quickly become saturated upon contact with liquids, lose their barrier functions, strength, and structural integrity, which leads to leakage and the cup breaking in the user’s hands,” she explained. According to the expert, paper cups, like all polymer products in contact with food, undergo thorough and strict testing procedures and receive certification for use with specific food products, taking into account the conditions and duration of this contact. “Cups approved for use with hot beverages must have the appropriate marking, so there is no reason to doubt their safety. For hot coffee, cups made of polypropylene are most often used, which retains its properties when heated up to 120–130 °C and does not release harmful substances. Utensils for hot food and beverages are also made from the same material, which also undergoes the necessary testing and certification depending on the type of food and duration of contact,” the RT interviewee clarified. However, she warned that when purchasing cups for personal needs, such as picnics or corporate events, employees often make mistakes in material selection. “For example, thin plastic cups made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are only suitable for juices or beverages with a temperature up to 75 °C. If you pour boiling water into them to make tea or coffee, the material can deform, which risks spills and burns. Polypropylene cups have the corresponding marking—the number 5 inside a triangle of arrows, whereas PET cups are marked with the number 1 in a similar triangle,” the specialist explained. It should be noted that when purchasing cups not from coffee shops but from other points of sale, one must be guided by the manufacturer’s recommendations: the label must indicate whether their use with hot beverages is permitted.
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