Recently, the reporter learned from the China Paper Association, according to the China Paper Association annual standard revision task arrangement, the association has completed the “no plastic paper cup (including no plastic biodegradable paper cups)” group standard draft, now for the society to solicit opinions.
What compostable paper cups is no plastic paper cup? What’s the difference between it and a personalised paper cups?
Many consumers may not know that their usual disposable paper cups seem to be very environmentally friendly, but they belong to the non-recyclable category in garbage classification.
“Paper cups are limited by the paper product is not waterproof characteristics, in order to prevent water seepage, plastic polyethylene (PE) coated film will be added to the paper cups.”According to a plastic packaging enterprise in Haikou, Hainan, the hot drink cup will be coated in the cup, and the cold drink will be coated inside and outside the cup. It is not easy to separate from the paper in the recycling process, so it is divided into non-recyclable garbage.
It is understood that since December 1, Hainan comprehensive “ban plastic”, was included in the Hainan province banned production and sales use of disposable non-biodegradable plastic products list (the first batch) of plastic products will ban production and sales, the company research and development produced with waterborne coating instead of the traditional paper cup polyethylene coating without plastic paper cup, realize the whole biodegradation.
Whether the plastic paper cup produced by the enterprise is qualified is the standard. The draft of no plastic paper cup (including no plastic paper cup paper) states that ” base paper cups should meet the requirements of QB / T 4032. White oil shall meet the requirements of GB 1886.215. The ink and adhesive shall comply with the relevant standards. The additives used in the paper cups, white oil, inks, adhesives and water-based coatings should meet the requirements of GB 9685.”
According to introduction, ordinary disposable paper cup because contain polyethylene, actually not recyclable, not a kind of environmental protection daily necessities. Although PLA coated paper cups can be completely biodegradable, the higher raw material cost leads to the higher price of finished products. With the promotion of the “ban on plastic bags”, no plastic paper cups came into being.
It is understood that the “plastic ban” is containing polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate and other non-biodegradable polymer materials of single-use plastic products.
“For a paper cup manufacturer, if he can find a cheap material that meets the functional requirements of the paper cup and is not one of the six non-biodegradable materials, then his paper cup can be called plastic paper cups and put on the market.”Professionals told reporters.
In addition, can be introduced according to whether the coating is degradable will be no plastic paper cup roughly classified two categories, namely “coating non-degradable paper cup” and “coating degradable paper cup”. For the former, as long as the ingredients of the coating are not included in the current list of non-degradable materials, they can still be legally brought to the market.
As technology advances, the hope is that more cheaper biodegradable materials will be available, people said.
Post time: Jun-20-2023