Coated paper cup
High releasePaperboard with a polyethylene or PLA inner lining
The short answer
A paper cup is a plastic cup with a paper exterior. Research measured particle release from the polymer lining into hot liquid within about fifteen minutes, which is roughly how long a takeaway coffee lasts.
What actually drives release
- Polymer lining in direct contact with hot liquid
- Temperature, typically 80-95C for coffee and tea
- Plastic sipping lid adding a second contact surface
When it gets worse
- The drink is very hot rather than warm
- The cup is held for a long time, as with a commute
- It has a plastic lid as well as a lining
Better options
- Ceramic mug in-store
- Insulated stainless steel travel cup
- Glass tumbler
Where you'll find it
Takeaway coffeeTeaSoupVending machine drinks
Scan what you actually buy
Packaging changes the answer more than the brand does. Scan your product with MicroPlastics for a 0–100 exposure score and a lower-plastic version of the same thing.
Scan my productFrequently Asked Questions
Do paper cups have plastic lining?
A paper cup is a plastic cup with a paper exterior. Research measured particle release from the polymer lining into hot liquid within about fifteen minutes, which is roughly how long a takeaway coffee lasts.
What makes coated paper cup worse?
The drink is very hot rather than warm. The cup is held for a long time, as with a commute. It has a plastic lid as well as a lining.
What should I use instead of coated paper cup?
In order of preference: Ceramic mug in-store, Insulated stainless steel travel cup, Glass tumbler. Packaging is usually the cheapest variable to change in any product decision.
Sources
- Earth Action with rePurpose Global (2026). Microplastic migration from food and beverage packaging (reported May 2026). Forbes.
- Qian N, Gao X, Lang X, et al. (2024). Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
- Winkler A, Santo N, Ortenzi MA, et al. (2022). Does mechanical stress cause microplastic release from plastic water bottles?. Water Research.
- Hernandez LM, Xu EG, Larsson HCE, et al. (2019). Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Environmental Science & Technology.