Globally, we throw away around 500 billion plastic cups every single year. This is equivalent to every single person on the planet throwing away around 71 plastic cups per year. While this may not sound like that many cups, the environmental impact of disposable cups adds up quickly; most of these plastic cups end up in landfills or in the ocean and can stay there for centuries.

You probably know that plastic disposable cups aren’t good for the environment. However, you might not know that there are more eco-friendly disposable cup options available to you! In this article, we will review 5 of the best eco-friendly disposable cups on the market today.

Read on to learn how we chose the most eco-friendly disposable cups or skip to our product recommendations.

How We Picked the Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Cups

We’ve searched the market and read hundreds of reviews to find the best eco-friendly disposable cups. All of our picks strictly conform to our criteria for sustainable and ethically-made products.

Keep reading to learn more about our criteria below.

Materials

While most disposable cups are not as sustainable as cups that you reuse time and time again, we made sure to identify disposable cups that have low impacts on the environment when produced or disposed of. We chose materials that are as sustainable as possible, such as:

• Plant-based plastic
• Paper
• Bamboo

Additionally, we chose only products that are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), which means that these products meet BPI standards for compostable and biodegradable materials.

Safety

Just because a cup is sustainably-produced doesn’t necessarily mean it’s also non-toxic. That is why we chose products that are 100% safe and free of toxic chemicals found in some plastic cups such as BPA, melamine, and phthalates.

Manufacturer’s Ethical & Sustainable Practices

We believe that products cannot be sustainable if they are not produced in an ethical manner. We thoroughly investigated each manufacturer’s practices to see if they provide an ethical workplace and take sustainability into account throughout their supply chain. We also investigated to see whether they are involved in any programs that directly benefit the environment.

Quality

One of the main factors that makes people stick with plastic products is their durability. To ensure that we’re recommending the right product for you, we chose non-plastic disposable cups that are actually more durable than regular single-use plastic cups. These cups won’t crumble in your hand or disintegrate when you put liquid in.

Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Cups

Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Cups

Plant-Based PLA

• 1. Eco-Products – Green Stripe Cold Cups
• 2. Repurpose – Compostable Cold Cups

Paper

• 3. World Centric – No Tree Paper Hot Cups
• 4. Ecotainer – Hot Cups Carte Blanc

Bamboo

• 5. Earth’s Natural Alternative – Compostable Cups

Top Picks

• Most Durable and Sturdy: Earth’s Natural Alternative
• Most Affordable: Ecotainer
• Best Overall: Earth’s Natural Alternative

Plant-Based PLA

Plant-based PLA is a type of bioplastic made from plant sugars. It is a more sustainable material than conventional plastic because it is compostable and will degrade within only 12 days in a composting facility. Here are our top disposable cup recommendations made of plant-based plastics.

1. Eco-Products – Green Stripe Cold Cups

Eco-Products’ Green Stripe cold cups are made from 100% plant-based PLA. Not only are these cups 100% compostable, but they are 100% renewable, meaning they’re derived from plants that regrow quickly.

Aside from being eco-friendly, these disposable cups are actually sturdier than regular plastic cups that are commonly available in the market. Multiple reviewers note that they prefer these to conventional plastic cups.

Importantly, these cups don’t alter the taste of the drinks, unlike some other disposable cups we’ve tried. The size is perfect for serving drinks on nearly every occasion. Plus, when your guests see the logo print on these cups, they’ll immediately know that these cups are better for the environment. 

Pros:

• The cup is perfect for cold drinks, although you may experience some condensation on the outside of the cup.
• Eco-Products has helped over 25 food service operators achieve their zero-waste goals.
• Eco-Products recently expanded access to commercial composting in 3 states: Alabama, Alaska, and Texas. 
• Eco-Products has a dedicated Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Team (JEDI), which works on advancing equity and inclusion within their workplace.

Cons:

• These cups are not good for hot drinks.

You can also find Eco-Products Green Stripe cups on the Eco-Products website. Looking for another size? Eco-Products also sells a variety of cup sizes, such as 16 Oz and 9 Oz versions. 

2. Repurpose – Compostable Cold Cups

Repurpose Compostable Cold Cups are made entirely of plant-based PLA and printed with vegetable-based ink, making them completely natural. Additionally, the packaging of these cups is recyclable, maximizing the product’s sustainability.

These cups are as strong and convenient as disposable plastic cups, and they are extremely flexible – you can bend these cups without worrying about breaking or cracking. Another thing that makes these cups special is their unique shape. We noticed that the shape of the rim makes these cups quite stable, so you don’t have to worry about spills.

Pros:

• Repurpose ensured that their cups are biodegradable on land, in freshwater, and in the ocean, and will not harm marine life if it does end up in the ocean.
• Repurpose calculates their environmental impact and works to lower the carbon footprint of every product’s manufacturing and delivery. 

Cons:

• These cups will deform a bit in direct sunlight when left in the sun too long.
• These cups are more expensive, especially when compared to paper options.

If you’re looking for a larger size, Repurpose Compostable Cold Cups are also available in 16 Oz.  You can also find Repurpose compostable cups on their website.

Paper

Every year, around 16 billion paper cups are consumed worldwide, causing the loss of approximately 6.5 million trees annually. However, when sourced sustainably, paper can be one of the most eco-friendly materials for disposable cups, due to its fast biodegradation process. Here are our top disposable paper cup recommendations.

3. World Centric – No Tree Paper Hot Cups

World Centric “No Tree” Paper Hot Cups are made from bagasse, a shredded sugar cane fiber, rather than trees. This makes the “No Tree” paper hot cups quite sustainable, as no trees are cut down to make this paper. Additionally, the cup’s lining is made from corn-based PLA instead of plastic, so these cups are fully recyclable and compostable – not to mention non-toxic.

These cups are sturdy and perfect for both warm and cold beverages. We noticed that the construction of these paper cups is stronger than the regular paper cups in the market, which helps them hold up longer. This is likely due to the plant-based PLA lining on the inside. 

Pros:

• World Centric uses bio-based materials like bagasse to make their products. This material requires less energy in production than plastic-based disposable products. 
• World Centric collaborates with a variety of environmental and social organizations that implement carbon sequestration projects and local community engagement programs.

Cons:

• These paper cups can get too warm to hold when containing very hot beverages. But World Centric also offers cup sleeves for extra hand protection.

You can also find World Centric No Tree Paper Hot Cups on their website. Looking for size varieties? World Centric also sells a variety of ‘No Tree” cup sizes, such as 16 Oz, 10 Oz, 8 Oz, 6 Oz, and 4 Oz versions. 

4. Ecotainer – Hot Cups Carte Blanc

Carte Blanc Hot Cups by Ecotainer are constructed entirely of natural materials. They’re made of sustainably sourced paper and are coated with corn-based PLA for moisture resistance. Additionally, the packaging of these cups is made from recyclable polyolefin thermoplastic, which you can dispose of in your local recycling facilities. 

These disposable cups are perfect for hot beverages. The corn-based PLA coating helps to reduce heat from inside the cup, preventing your hands from being burned. We also like how it’s a little bigger in diameter than other disposable cups, making them perfect if you like your latte art in an eco-friendly disposable cup!

Pros:

• Ecotainer cups are sourced from sustainably managed forests.
• Ecotainer cups are cheaper than our other top picks.
• These cups are durable enough to withstand boiling water without losing their form or getting too hot.
• These cups are freezer and refrigerator-safe.

Cons:

• Because of these cups’  size and form, it may be difficult to handle for those with smaller hands or children.
• Lids are sold separately.

You can also get Ecotainer hot cups Carte Blanc on Green Paper Products website.
Looking for a different size of this cup? Ecotainer Carte Blanc Hot Cups are also available in 10 Oz, and 8 Oz versions. 

Bamboo

Bamboo is an extremely sustainable material due to its ability to regenerate quickly. Bamboo also produces around 30% more oxygen than trees, and can sequester around two times more carbon dioxide. Here are our top recommendations for disposable cups made from bamboo.

5. Earth’s Natural Alternative – Compostable Cups

Earth’s Natural Alternative Compostable Cups are made from 100% bamboo fiber and coated with plant-based PLA, making them all-natural, toxin-free, and sustainable. 

These cups are the most durable our top recommendations, as bamboo fiber is known for its sturdiness. Earth’s Natural Alternative cups are perfect for both cold and hot drinks alike – no matter the temperature of your drink, the cup won’t melt or get soggy. Furthermore, you can request customization to add a design or logo on these cups to meet your company’s, organization’s, or your own personal preferences.

Pros:

• Earth’s Natural Alternative Compostable Cups are unbleached, so you can be sure these bamboo-based paper cups are free of unsafe chemicals.
• Earth’s Natural Alternative pledged a portion of its profits to Ocean Conservancy’s program International Coastal Clean-up, which aims to remove 20 million pounds of trash from the ocean and other water bodies every year.

Cons:

• These cups come in plastic packaging.
• These disposable cups are more expensive than other disposable cups

Looking for a larger size? Earth’s Natural Alternative disposable bamboo cups are also available in 16 Oz.  You can also find Earth’s Natural Alternative cups on their website.

Top Picks

Still can’t make up your mind? Here are our top picks for a few different categories.

Most Durable: Earth’s Natural Alternative

Earth’s Natural Alternative cups are without a doubt the most durable and sturdy of our top picks, due to their bamboo fiber material coated with plant-based PLA.

Most Affordable: World Centric

At $255 for 2,000 cups, World Centric No Tree Paper Hot Cups are the most affordable option. Each cup only costs 13 cents. 

Best Overall: Earth’s Natural Alternative

Earth’s Natural Alternative’s compostable hot cups made of bamboo are super durable, available in convenient sizes (12 Oz and 16 Oz), and made of super sustainable materials. We love that the company also participates in programs that provide a direct positive impact on the environment. Plus, you can customize these disposable bamboo cups to make them perfect for any event or business!