Don’t expect to see
the new Dunkin’ Donuts paper cups in Rhode Island. The “double-walled” paper
cup recently rolled out at five D&Ds in Brookline, Mass., is only in
response to the town’s recently enacted ban on Styrofoam. The cup is also used
in Freeport, Maine, which banned polystyrene in 1990. But other locations won’t
be using them as the cup is just a substitute until a more cost-effective and
sustainable product is found. The chain giant aims to have such a cup within
three years.
"This is our
first step in ultimately finding the ideal solution; we've been searching for a
viable cup solution for several years and our quest continues,"
said Michelle King, spokeswoman for Dunkin' Donuts.
These double-walled paper cups are generally not recyclable and non-compostable, but they at least replace polystyrene, or Styrofoam, which is considered a greater environmental and public health threat
Styrofoam can be
recycled in Rhode Island, but only for those able to bring their foam stash to
a private processing
facility in North
Smithfield.
Styrene, the principal
ingredient in Styrofoam, is a hazardous chemical and most harmful to humans and
the environment during production of Styrofoam. Styrofoam takes centuries to
decompose, leaching its chemicals in landfills. Its lingering human health
effects as a toxin are disputed. No definitive study has linked styrene to
causing cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the health impacts of styrene.
Benzene, another
principal ingredient in Styrofoam, also poses health risks. Its exposure to
both hot and cold temperatures increases exposure to both suspected carcinogens.
A 2007
study by the Journal
of Environmental Sciences concluded, “It was observed that temperature played a
major role in the leaching of styrene monomer from Styrofoam cups. Paper cups
were found to be safe for hot drinks.”
Styrofoam cups,
however, are cheap and insulate beverages well. Polystyrene is not just used
for cups and packaging; solid polystyrene is used to make disposable cutlery
and CD cases.
In 2012, McDonald’s
stopped using foam cups in 2,000 — about 15 percent — of its U.S. restaurants.
Dunkin’ Donuts has some 180 stores in Rhode Island and 1,100 in Massachusetts.
Starbucks, the world's largest coffee chain, with 25 stores in Rhode Island,
eliminated Styrofoam cups in 2006. Starbucks also launched a $1 reusable coffee
mug program earlier this year.
