The Pros And Cons Of Plastic Cups

The Pros And Cons Of Plastic Cups

Did you know that it takes 30-80 years for a plastic cup to decompose? Studies have shown that it takes many years to permanently destroy the plastic. Obviously, plastic has its shortcomings, but it also helps us meet our needs. Plastic is usually used to make shopping bags, utensils, etc. They are substitutes for natural resources, which is a factor of their value.

Benefits of using plastic cups

Today, plastic cups are commonly used in cafes, homes, offices and commercial enterprises. This is because of the following advantages.

The cup is the most commonly used item in the world. Today, plastic cups have replaced metal cups because they are flexible; they are lightweight and easy to transport in bulk. They are most favored by manufacturing companies because of their high demand.

There is no additional maintenance for plastic cups. Compared with porcelain cups, they are durable and have no tendency to break. This factor makes it the first choice for people, especially when making tableware for toddlers.

Plastic cups come in different sizes, designs and shapes. There may be a habit of a plastic cup to meet your needs. Today, they provide a cover for those who have a tight schedule and need snacks. For occasions like picnics, birthday parties and hiking, plastic cups are the perfect choice. This is because they are flexible and cheap.

Toddlers use plastic cups because they are safe. In science, plastic is a poor conductor of heat. Therefore, when drinking hot drinks, the cup will not burn people from the outside. Unlike glass and porcelain materials, plastic will not break, so children will not be hurt in the event of an accident.

During the production process, the plastic is heated at a very high temperature to make it pure and user-friendly. Fire can sterilize it. Then pure plastic is used to make cups and other plastic materials. The pure shape makes the plastic cup safe to use.

Plastic cups are very cheap. To illustrate this point, some meals and other places provide snack packaging in plastic for free, which shows that vinyl is affordable.

Last but not least, plastic cups can be recycled to make another kind of object. Plastic is melted to make another kind of object, which is good for the environment because pollution will be minimized. Studies have shown that the energy saved by recycling is twice that of producing new products.

Disadvantages of using plastic cups

As mentioned earlier, plastic is a non-degradable material and it takes half a century to be destroyed. This factor is a problem in itself. The following are the disadvantages of using plastic cups.

Plastic cannot withstand high temperatures. Therefore, when the temperature is too high or in contact with fire, it is easy to deform and melt. Cups made of other materials can withstand high temperatures, and some can be heated directly inside. Due to the large amount of heat generated during the plastic purification process, the manufactured items cannot withstand high temperatures.

Experts show that the compounds used to make plastic cups and other utensils are harmful to the body. Carrying food means that humans are at risk for health. Some cancers are related to plastic compounds. Although plastic cups are flexible to use, people are encouraged to use transparent plastics that contain fewer harmful compounds.

Generally speaking, plastics are not decomposable. This factor makes it an environmental hazard, because the disposal of plastic will not rot, but pollute the environment. Some animals eat them unknowingly, and they eventually die. This factor prompted people to initiate a campaign against their use.

Plastic cups are difficult to clean. Food stains will stick to the container, making it difficult to wash off. It may need to be washed thoroughly with warm water. This factor makes it have a disadvantage compared with glass and metal cups, which are easy to clean.

The manufacturing process requires heating and preheating, and then sterilizing the material at extreme temperatures. This process releases harmful particles in the atmosphere, causing air pollution. It has a negative impact on the ozone layer, leading to global warming.

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