Five Best Compostable Disposable Cups

Living sustainably means making conscious choices about the products we use in our daily lives and businesses. In the food service industry, disposable takeout cups and lids are a staple, but it’s vital to choose a disposable cup that minimizes environmental impact. Compostable disposable cups are the ideal solution. We’ve compiled a list of the five best compostable cups to help inform your choices in single-use items.

How to Choose the Best Disposable Cups for the Environment and for Your Business

Not all disposable cups are the same. Eco-friendly companies make cups from different materials, which offer varied durability and require different disposal methods. For example, if you have access to commercial composting facilities, you might choose PLA (polylactic acid) products, which can only be broken down at these centers and not in backyard compost. If these facilities are not present in your area, however, you might opt for disposable cups that are recyclable or compostable in your backyard. 

Before choosing the most eco-friendly disposable cups, know whether you want the best compostable coffee cups or soda cups, as hot and cold beverage cups differ. Cups for hot beverages are usually thicker and stiffer to provide heat insulation. Utilize these cups to serve coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, or other hot drinks. Pour iced coffee, juice, smoothies, iced tea, soda, water, or other cold beverages into disposable cups for cold drinks. 

With a variety of products on the market, here’s a look at the best compostable hot cups or cold cups that suit your business. 

1. Greenprint Hot and Cold Compostable Cups

Greenprint is an innovator in compostable single-use products for food service applications. Our disposable hot and cold compostable cups are made from paper, lined with proprietary aqueous coating technology. Unlike conventional paper beverage cups, which are coated with petroleum-based plastic, Greenprint disposable compostable cups can be safely disposed of in your home compost or through a curbside program. If they end up in a landfill, they will break down quickly and won’t leach toxic compounds into the environment.

Greenprint produces products, including our compostable cups, that are free from bisphenol A, or BPA. We have been producing high-quality biodegradable items for over five years and have more than 65 products on the market.

Greenprint Compostable Cup Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compostable in either home and industrial compost
• Marine biodegradable
• Paper cups coated with compostable aqueous solution linings
• Several sizes available
• Hot and cold beverage cups available
• Next day shipping and best pricing
• Neutral appearance suits any brand
• Custom design and printing options

Cons:

• Only available in white

2. Phade compostable cups

Phade single-use cups are made from paper and coated with PHA — a material derived from canola oil. Their features and attributes are much like Greenprint compostable disposable cups—but their branding might not be the best match for all applications. You can serve any kind of hot drink in these cups. 

Phade Compostable Cup Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compostable and biodegradable
• No plastic
• Recycle or compost
• Marine biodegradable

Cons:

• Phade branding is prominent and might clash with your branding
• No style or color alternatives
• Limited cup and package sizes currently available
• Expensive compared to alternatives
• Limited availability

3. World Centric Compostable Cups

World Centric offers an extensive selection of hot and cold single-use cups and accessories (lids, sleeves, etc.). Made from paper and PLA, their products are compostable and biodegradable in home and curbside programs. Word Centric also donates 25% of its profit to promote economic opportunities in communities battling extreme poverty. 

World Centric Compostable Cup Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lots of styles, sizes
• Hot and cold cups
• Paper and PLA construction
• Neutral styles
• Compostable
• Mid-range pricing

Cons:

• PLA may not be recyclable in your curbside program
• PLA requires temperature-controlled storage to prevent warping

4. Go-Compost Compostable Cups

Go-Compost offers hot and cold beverage cups and accessories in various sizes and colors made from paper and PLA. They also supply lids made from recyclable plastic. Their company focuses exclusively on compostable products, offering a wide range of everyday items and composting equipment beyond food service items. When you opt for a Go-Compost cup, you might consider purchasing some of their composting equipment if composting services are not included in your curbside program. 

Go-Compost Compostable Cup Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Diverse selection of styles and colors
• Three sizes
• Biodegradable
• Compostable
• Neutral appearance

Cons:

• PLA may not be recyclable in your curbside program (must be composted)
• PLA requires temperature-controlled storage
• Mid-to high pricing

5. Good Start Packaging Cups

Good Start compostable disposable cups are made from paper lined with PLA (for hot beverages) and PLA bioplastic (for cold drinks).

Good Start has been supplying eco-friendly products to the food industry for 15 years, and their compostable disposable cups are made from paper lined with PLA (for hot beverages) and PLA bioplastic (for cold drinks). 

Good Start Compostable Cup Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Hot and cold cups in various sizes
• Excellent selection of lids and other accessories
• Paper and PLA for hot, PLA for cold beverages
• Neutral branding with compostable certification clearly displayed
• Certified B Corp

Cons:

• PLA may not be recyclable (compostable only)
• Cold beverage cups not compostable in-home compost (requires industrial composting)
• PLA requires temperature-controlled storage

For the best quality and value, shop Greenprint Products compostable cups today.