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Spotted: It’s estimated that, around the world, at least 500 billion disposable cups are used yearly. These containers may be handy for grabbing a hot drink on the go, but so few are recycled that the majority either end up in landfills or as pollution, affecting our oceans, lakes, and rivers. To tackle this plastic scourge, one Miami-based company has unveiled a new plastic-free, biodegradable cup that’s designed for hot beverages and doesn’t need a separate lid. 

After seeing all the plastic in the ocean and on beaches of Miami while surfing, two brothers decided to create plastic alternatives to “catch waves without catching plastic too” and founded SOFi Products. The brothers initially developed a paper straw that didn’t get soggy or taste like paper, and a paper cup for cold beverages that was 100 per cent plastic-free and biodegradable. 

The newest product is the SOFi Hot Cup – the first paper cup for hot drinks that doesn’t require a plastic lid, as it features flaps that fold together to form a spill-proof spout. The company’s patent-pending locking mechanism ensures spill protection, while its proprietary water-based coating stops the containers from going soft. 

Once discarded, the cup is also biodegradable. It naturally decomposes in a marine or soil environment in under 180 days, which means it can be composted at any industrial composting facility or at home. 

The straws and cups are now available nationwide in the United States in Walmart and at many coffee and restaurant chains, including La Colombe, Bluestone Lane, Earl of Sandwich, and Alfred Coffee. 

The beverage industry heavily relies on plastic or plastic-lined paper cups to sell its products, but Springwise has spotted many companies creating sustainable alternatives, including a compostable clay cup and a new takeaway cup that is entirely plastic-free.

Written By: Anam Alam