I wish I could say it was my altruistic love for Planet Earth that made me flip the switch to using sustainable hot beverage cups. But I made this change for selfish reasons: my long term health. The planet just reaps the side benefits.

The Dirty Truth

They’re everywhere. Paper cups from trendy coffee shops have become an icon of life on the go. But to keep the drinks in — and to keep them hot — these cups are lined with a type of plastic called polyethylene — a chemical derived from petroleum. When your hot drink meets the inner lining of a disposable cup, the chemicals in the plastic lining begin to leach into your drink.

This 2021 study found that after 15 minutes of a hot liquid sitting in a lined paper coffee cup, approximately 25,000 micron-sized microplastics were found in 100 mL of liquid.

What Happens to Your Body?

Microplastics are an accumulation game. We don’t know a lot about them yet, but we do know that while we can’t entirely avoid them, the less of them we can consume, the better.

The main health concerns for those polyethylene-lined cups are:

• hormonal imbalance, which can lead to reproductive issues, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
• microplastics can accumulate in the plaque that lines our arteries, which can add to the risk of heart attacks or strokes
• microplastics have also been linked to respiratory disease, neurological disorders, and some types of cancer

What Happens to the Planet?

These cups are neither biodegradable nor recyclable. This means they have two ways to go:

When people toss them aside — which happens way too often — disposable cups break down into microplastics that infiltrate soil and waterways. Just like the chemicals can harm us when we drink them, they can disrupt the hormonal systems in species from fish to birds, which leads to disturbing health effects — and impacts the entire food chain, including humans.

When we throw them in the garbage — the better option than littering — they linger in landfills for decades. Their toxins still release into the soil and the air as they decompose over time.

There have been some recent breakthroughs, including this one from Berkeley that vaporizes polyethylene and other plastic waste to make it recyclable in an eco-friendly way. And that’s awesome — we should be heartened by all the scientists who are working hard to find solutions. But until this technique is up and running — and can handle more than we’re throwing away — the less we pile onto the problem, the better.

And, like with everything we produce in factories, the production process for these cups belches carbon emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Too Little Too Late? I’m Already Toxic

I hear this a lot. People say, “I’ve been drinking from these all my life. That ship has already sailed for my own health.”

Can we detox from plastics? Maybe. The science on this is way too new to know, but the human body is known to be resilient — and to flush itself of harmful toxins over time and under the right circumstances. By reducing our exposure and making conscious choices going forward, we can at least minimize the cumulative impact of these little pollutants. You can also try these detox principles: Choose foods that are high in fiber, drink lots of water, prioritize healthy fats, and avoid processed foods. (I think there’s something about minimizing alcohol consumption in there, too, but I’m intentionally deaf to that part — I believe in hedonistic comforts on this journey!)

Also, it is NEVER too late to vote with your wallet. The more the crazy dictators scream “Drill, Baby, Drill” from their verified X accounts, the more emphatic I am in my need to fight back with positive energy from my tiny corner of the world. When we spend our money on the world we want to see, we’re sending a message to industry and government, and casting a vote for a planet that can sustain life in the future.

Added Benefits of Reusable

Still not sold? Here are some more perks to reusable cups.

1. Better Taste: Some coffee aficionados (including me!) argue that the taste of coffee is better in ceramic. You could also use glass, stainless steel, or bamboo — materials that are non-reactive, meaning your beverage won’t interact with the cup’s composition.
2. Better Insulation: Many reusable cups are designed with double-wall insulation to keep your drinks hot without burning your hands.
3. Personal Touch: If you like, choose a cup that reflects your personal style or has a meaningful design that lifts your spirits every time you take a sip. (Or find a sticker with a slogan that boosts you.)
4. Save Money: Some coffee shops offer discounts for customers who bring their own cups.

Sustainable Takeaway

Don’t have a cup yet that checks all the boxes (insulated, reusable, has a lid that stays sealed shut on bumpy drives)? Go shopping (or thrifting!) for one. Your taste buds, your wallet, and our planet will thank you for sure. But the biggest benefactor by far will be your health.