Compostable, recyclable paper cup

AkzoNobel’s new coatings technology EvCote Water Barrier 3000 – which itself is made from plant-based oils and recycled PET bottles – is allowing restaurants to select a more sustainable paper cup to serve their cold drinks in. The cups don’t require any modification in the current recycle stream or special handling, and are fully compostable and recyclable.

Roughly 200 billion paper cups are used around the world every year, but none of those currently in use can be recycled without incurring prohibitive costs or greatly diminishing the quality of the paper fibre. However, when paper coated with EvCote is recycled, the quality of the paper fibre remains intact – which means the paper can be reused in the production of other paper products.

An additional advantage is that it enables paper mills to recapture 100% of the paper waste from the production process that is currently sent to landfill, resulting in financial savings.

Made of up to 95% sustainable or renewable content, EvCote barrier coatings protect paper surfaces against water, grease and moisture. They can be used in applications such as corrugated packaging, folding carton board, beverage carrier board and food service packaging.