Do disposable paper cups release microplastics and metals into drinks?
Use caution. A 2026 study found that hot drinks can pull microplastics, zinc, aluminum, ammonium, and chloride from disposable paper cups. A reusable glass or stoneware cup is a simple swap for daily coffee or tea.
What's actually in it
Most disposable paper cups are not just paper. Many have a thin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic lining that helps stop leaks.
Hot drinks can stress that lining. Heat and contact time can move small particles and metals from the cup into coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Food Chem Toxicol tested 10 disposable paper cups from markets in Turkiye. The researchers found that the inner HDPE film changed after contact with hot drinks.
After 15 minutes with hot liquid, the study measured microplastics, 394.54 ppb zinc, 58.05 ppb aluminum, 1.07 ppm ammonium, and 17.49 ppm chloride moving from the cups into the drink.
What to do at home
If you use a paper cup once in a while, do not panic. If you buy hot drinks often, bring a glass, stoneware, or stainless steel cup when you can. At home, pour coffee or tea into glass or stoneware instead of leaving it in a disposable cup.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring of microplastics, ions and heavy metals in disposable paper cups from Turkiye marketplaces. | Food Chem Toxicol | 2026 |