This may be a stupid idea, but to my knowledge metals is are some of the best materials when it comes to being easily recyclable.

Ignoring the cost and reusability, wouldn’t recyclable disposable cups made of metal be a better deal than the largely incinerated plastic cups?

  • bstix@feddit.dk
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    17 days ago

    IMO, we don’t need disposable cups of any kind at all. They could as well serve a can or bottle in drive-thrus.

      • gazter@aussie.zone
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        16 days ago

        I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying cups are more convenient than cans or bottles?

        • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
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          16 days ago

          No, the convenience (for most people) I think is in that they are able to get a drink regardless of planning. As long as they’re in a car, they can get drive trough drinks. No need to have cups ready in the car.

          • gazter@aussie.zone
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            16 days ago

            Ah, I see. I think the original comment was saying that there’s no need for a cup- A can is much more convenient, and you don’t need to be carrying a cup already.

      • bstix@feddit.dk
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        17 days ago

        Maybe its me, but I don’t find disposable cups convenient at all.

        I already have bottles to refund, so the idea of getting drinks served in a piece of garbage for me to dispose of is just a nuisance. Also if I’m ordering for the whole family, I either need to have 4 vacant cup holders in my car or get another piece of disposable garbage to hold the disposable cups. I’d much rather have a standard PET bottle.

        • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
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          17 days ago

          I’m with you on that one! Unfortunately that’s just not most people. The best thing would be is if they’d just give up options. Sell the cup as an optional thing or something.

  • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net
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    17 days ago

    Looks like this company is doing just that: https://www.zhongruicup.com/

    Not sure how the economics work out, I assume they are much more expensive.

    This could be environmentally feasible if the factory ran exclusively on renewable energy, but if not, it would likely produce significantly more carbon emissions than paper cups.

    also @tehWrapper@lemmy.world

  • tehWrapper@lemmy.world
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    17 days ago

    A can holds it shape cause it has the top and bottom. To make an aluminum cup would take a fair amount more aluminum and cost a fair bit more. It would prob be better, but no one is going to pay that much and toss them.

    • MrMakabar@slrpnk.net
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      17 days ago

      Aluminium cans work pretty well. The only thing needed would be to have a bigger hole at the top…

      • tehWrapper@lemmy.world
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        17 days ago

        Aluminum cans are so thin to cut cost that they are like an egg. Open the end more and it will have no support to it.

        They would need to be thicker and that would make it much more expensive.

        • Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone
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          17 days ago

          You absolutely can open the top of one more.

          I can use my tooth and take the top right off and make cups out of cans. Do it all the time camping.

          They work fine except for the sharp edge because it’s just like being opened with a can opener.

          You can crush a disposable paper cup easier then a soda can with the top taken off

    • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
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      17 days ago

      If they’d be getting recycled and/or reused, the price shouldn’t be as high as new production cups

  • TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz
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    15 days ago

    A few years ago there was this effort to abandon disposable containers entirely, so you were encouraged to carry a durable reusable container instead. Whatever happened to that?

    • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
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      15 days ago

      I don’t think anyone who likes fast food liked reusable containers. Although my girlfriend always carries her water bottle everywhere.

  • I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org
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    15 days ago

    There is some municipality that is taking this approach. All the restaurants use the same metal cups, and there are return bins around the area. Customers get a drink to go, and return the cup when they’re done. It’s washed and returned to the restaurant.

    I’ll have to find a source for this when I’m on my PC, currently on mobile.

    ETA: It’s Petaluma, CA. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/city-experiments-with-reusable-cups-at-starbucks-taco-bell-and-30-other-restaurants-with-return-bins-all-over-town/ and https://returnmycup.com/

  • reddig33@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    Plastic cups currently have an advantage in that it’s fast and easy to pump out on a mass scale on the cheap.

    Waxed paper is probably the next best thing for disposable cups. This is what McDonalds and other fast food places use and it’s renewable and biodegradable. The cost is probably pretty close to petro-plastic.

    If we ever get a single use plastics tax, or the public starts freaking out more about microplastics, you will probably see restaurants return to paper cups.

    • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
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      15 days ago

      The mcDonalds here gives us sturdy plastic cups that that’ll buy back from you. (or you can leave them after dinner).

      I’m going to have a look at this wax paper solution, that’s an interesting option! Thank you!