Unocup: The foldable paper cup that doesn't need a plastic lid

Plastic is a super convenient material, there’s no denying that, which is why we’ve come to rely on it to make everything from containers to drinking straws and mobile phones to vacuum cleaners. But our (over) reliance on plastic isn’t without environmental costs.

The good news though is that we are more aware than ever about the impact our plastic consumption is having on the environment and that has prompted many companies to create new products that are significantly more eco-conscious.

Now one product area where there has been considerable focus is disposable coffee cups. And with the UK allegedly using 10,000 single-use coffee cups every two minutes, the need for more environmentally friendly options has never been greater.

Enter the Unocup…

With its simple, yet effective design, the Unocup is perfect for coffee drinkers who want a takeout beverage but have left their reusable coffee cup at home. The best part is that the Unocup doesn’t have/need a plastic lid – an addition that takes centuries to decompose.

The Unocup is made from the same plastic-lined paper material as disposable coffee shop cups, which takes approximately 20 years to decompose. Its folding design works in the same way as a paper noodle box, with its contents safely secured using flaps at the top – which also form a small spout to allow easy drinking.

Conceived back in 2015, the Unocup is now featured in a Kickstarter campaign* to attract more awareness and investment. And while everyday consumers may not be the target audience, the Unocup could make a massive difference if it takes off among both global coffee chains and smaller cafes alike.

At the time of writing, the Unocup has already passed its funding goal of US$14,500 and there are still a few weeks to go.

What do you think? Is the Unocup going to have a massive positive impact on the environment, or are there too many barriers in the way of its mainstream adoption?

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* https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unocuptogo/unocup-the-new-foldable-paper-coffee-cup/description