The Positive Impact of Switching to Better for All PHA Cups

The Positive Impact of Switching to Better for All PHA Cups

Did you know that most disposable cups end up in the landfill? The truth is, only about 5% of petroleum-based plastic cups are recycled, and those red plastic cups you see at parties? They are not recyclable at all. Best case, traditional plastic cups end up in the landfill, where they can take centuries to biodegrade while leaving behind harmful chemicals. Worst case, they end up by the side of the road.

When we launched Better for All, we were on a mission to do better. Most cups present unique challenges to waste management because they are made from mixed materials (plastic + paper, white polystyrene + red polystyrene) or made from materials that can ONLY be landfilled. This is why we chose PHA, a 100% biobased material that is made by tiny microorganisms during the process of fermentation.

Better for All cups are designed to be part of a growing "circular bioeconomy". Made by tiny plants, PHA is destined to be consumed by the tiny plants that live in our natural environment, in compost, soil and water. We make Better for All cups from ONE material, PHA, so that the cups can be sent to compost facilities, taken home to be washed and reused, or composted at home. IF the cup ends up in the waste stream, it will biodegrade much faster than traditional cups, and with no toxic residue or microplastics.

How to Dispose of Your Better for All Cup:

  1. Compost It at the Venue: Better for All cups are certified commercially compostable. After enjoying your drink, toss your cup into the compost bin along with any food scraps. Your venue’s waste management team will then send everything to a local composting facility, where it will be turned into nutrient-rich compost. (The photo above was taken at Renuable Composting of Aerated Static Piles of composting household and event food scraps and dishware, 2024).

  2. Take It Home to Reuse: Our cups are made to last a little longer than your average disposable. PHA is high heat tolerant. Our cups can be run through the dishwasher or washed by hand and reused. When the cup starts to show signs of wear and tear, it’s time to compost it—either at home or through a commercial facility.

  3. Anaerobically Digestible: If there’s no commercial or home composting facility nearby, Better for All cups will still eventually degrade in low oxygen environments like landfill without releasing harmful toxins or leaving microplastics in the environment. 

Why Reuse Matters

Reducing our reliance on petroleum plastic and single use disposables is crucial in the fight against global warming and pollution. Better for All cups are lightweight, stackable, and durable enough for multiple uses, all without leaching toxins into your drink. Whether you’re reusing your cup at home or composting it after an event, these small changes will have a big impact.

 

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