LCA: Single-Use Cups vs. Reusable Cups for Events in Copenhagen

The City of Copenhagen has taken an important step towards a more sustainable future by commissioning a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA), prepared by Force Technology, of reuseable cups for hot and cold beverages compared to single-use cups. The report, now being published, provides an in-depth analysis of the environmental benefits and challenges associated with the use of reusable cups compared to single-use cups. The purpose of this LCA report is to inform citizens, businesses, and policymakers, about the potential environmental gains from switching to reusable solutions, thereby promoting a greener lifestyle in the capital. With this report, the City of Copenhagen aims to raise awareness and engagement around sustainable initiatives, thus supporting the city's goal of becoming an even more environmentally friendly and responsible city.

The summarized results

Wether if using reusable cups is a more environmentally friendly solution, is highly dependent on how many times the cups are reused. When talking about cups for cold beverages, a reusable solution is considered more environmentally friendly, when it is reused more than 8 to 10 times, in comparison to PP and rPET single-use cups, that are disposed of by incineration. With 85% recycling of disposed cups, the single-use rPET cup for cold beverages has the lowest potential climate impact, if the reuseable cup is reused 13 to 15 times or less. If the number of rotations is higher, the washable solution is preferable. Generally, single-use cardboardcups for hot beverages are difficult to compete with, when compared to reusable cups. Yet there are many different types of cardboard cups, and the conclusion in this LCA is based on calculations for a single type of plastic-free paper cup.