Paper cups are popular in coffee containers. A paper cup is a disposable cup made out of paper and often lined or coated with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper. It may be made of recycled paper and is widely used around the world.
Paper cups have been documented in imperial China, where paper was invented by 2nd century BC, They were constructed in different sizes and colors, and were adorned with decorative designs. During the early days of the 20th century, drinking water had become increasingly popular thanks to the emergence of the temperance movement in the US. Promoted as a healthy alternative to beer or liquor, water was available at school faucets, fountains and water barrels on trains and wagons. Communal cups or dippers made from metal, wood, or ceramic were used to drink the water. In response to growing concerns about communal cups posing a danger to public health, a Boston lawyer named Lawrence Luellen crafted a disposable two-piece cup from paper in 1907. By 1917, the public glass had disappeared from railway carriages, replaced by paper cups even in jurisdictions where public glasses had yet to be banned.
In the 1980s, food trends played a huge role in the design of disposable cups. Specialty coffees such as cappuccinos, lattes, and cafe mochas grew in popularity worldwide. In the emerging economies, rising income levels, hectic lifestyles and long working hours have caused consumers to shift from non-disposable utensils to paper cups so as to save on time. Go to any office, fast food restaurant, large sporting event or music festival, and you’re bound to see paper cups being used.
