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Permalink Reply by Danny on February 4, 2010 at 7:56pm

This is a great question Jason. Why do they always bleach single use paper products? I hope someone has an answer to this question.

Danny

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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on February 4, 2010 at 8:30pm

Interesting question. Strange that the only recycled or bio cups today seem to have printed logos, leaves and what not. An unbleached natural or kraft cup would be pretty cool, in fact back in 2005 Chinet made an unbleached to go cup in different sizes, but they were discontinued for some reason

It's odd no one has remade these, as white paper cups are bleached with chlorine; resulting in the emissions of dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic. We know that bleach when mixed with acidic substances (amonia, vinegar) ... forms chloromine gas.

There are Bagasse hot cups available, but I have only seen them in 4oz sizes:

http://worldcentric.org/biocompostables/cups/bagasse-hot-cups

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Jason Burton on February 4, 2010 at 8:57pm

Thanks Danny and Matt. I'm glad you guys understand. Baristas, coffee roasters, coffee shops, etc. have made amazing strides but I'm still amazed by some (lack) of the choices in products that shops use everyday.

Matt Milletto said:

Interesting question. Strange that the only recycled or bio cups today seem to have printed logos, leaves and what not. An unbleached natural or kraft cup would be pretty cool, in fact back in 2005 Chinet made an unbleached to go cup in different sizes, but they were discontinued for some reason

It's odd no one has remade these, as white paper cups are bleached with chlorine; resulting in the emissions of dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic. We know that bleach when mixed with acidic substances (amonia, vinegar) ... forms chloromine gas.

There are Bagasse hot cups available, but I have only seen them in 4oz sizes:

http://worldcentric.org/biocompostables/cups/bagasse-hot-cups

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Phil Proteau on February 5, 2010 at 2:02pm

Is it possible that they don't make them anymore because no one can stand the taste of cardboard that they give off so strongly? Using brown filters is enough to spoil a whole cup, if your drink were soaking in it, how much flavor would that impart?

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Permalink Reply by Jason Burton on February 5, 2010 at 2:33pm

Could be true but do they really have that taste? I can't imagine it being like a pizza box. Maybe that is the reason but I feel like most cup companies wouldn't be that smart. Thanks Phil.

Phil Proteau said:

Is it possible that they don't make them anymore because no one can stand the taste of cardboard that they give off so strongly? Using brown filters is enough to spoil a whole cup, if your drink were soaking in it, how much flavor would that impart?

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Permalink Reply by Barista Bruce on February 10, 2010 at 7:15am

Not all paper whitening prcesses use chlorine. Following are links to two 8 oz. options.

The same site that Matt linked to also offers white paper cups bleached without "elemental chlorine". (By that stating they don't use "elemental chlorine", this may mean they use a chlorine compound. Of course, table salt is a chlorine compound.)

http://worldcentric.org/biocompostables/cups/hot-cups

At my shop, we currently use Ingeo cups, which were also whitened without the use of chlorine.

http://www.stalkmarketproducts.com/about/sustainability-commitment

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