Why we use styrofoam cups

Despite popular misconceptions, polystyrene foam products are not made with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

According to a 1996 US News and World Report article
"a plastic cup takes half as much energy to make and results in 35 percent fewer pounds of toxic chemicals released into the environment than a paper cup does."

In a 1994 study, Dr. Martin Hocking, a Canadian chemist, found that the manufacture of paper cups uses nearly three times as much energy as the manufacture of polystrene foam cups."

Most paper foodservice products are coated with wax, polyethylene, or other non-biodegradable materials and are therefore, essentially no more degradable than foam.

Polystyrene foam can be recycled, and we presently looking into local companies that we can partner with to implement a recycling program. We feel that this will result in a more sustainable practice over the long haul. We are presently discussing a partnership with Tymex Inc on Harvard Avenue here in Cleveland. The cups would be collected at our stores and Tymex would process them for us.

At Phoenix Coffee, we appreciate the value of sustainability and conservation. This styrofoam recycling effort is an exciting and important initiative for us.

Sources:

• Steven Budiansky, "Being Green Isn't Always What It Seems," US News and World Report, August 26, 1997.
• William Rathje and Culleen Murphy "Five Major Myths About Garbage, and Why They're Wrong", Smithsonian, July 1992.