Dunkin Donuts To Get Rid of Foam Cups For Paper

Dunkin' Donuts said Tuesday it is getting rid of its controversial foam cups by 2020 and will replace them with a new double-walled paper cup.

In a move that has been brewing for nearly a decade, Dunkin’ Donuts announced it will switch to double-walled paper cups by 2020, removing a billion coffee-stained foam cups from the world’s landfills every year.

The Canton, Mass.-based company is following in the well-trodden path of other fast-food giants hoping to convince consumers they are environmentally conscious places to spend a few bucks.

“We have a responsibility to improve our packaging, making it better for the planet while still meeting the needs of our guests,” Karen Raskopf, chief communications and sustainability officer  for the company, said in a statement detailing the changes.

“Transitioning away from foam has been a critical goal for Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., and with the double-walled cup, we will be able to offer a replacement that meets the needs and expectations of both our customers and the communities we serve.”

The polystyrene foam cups have been the target of petitions and angry fights on social media in the past. As recently as mid-January, viewers of a Facebook Live video reveal of Dunkin's next-generation concept store in its hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts, were vocal about the foam cups. The store was the first location to use the new paper cups.

One user commented, "Get rid of styrofoam cups in all your stores." Another added, "I hope they have new cups for the hot coffee. Those styrofoam cups gotta go!"

The foam material cannot be recycled and its manufacturing process is potentially dangerous. The main ingredient, styrene, has been named a possible human carcinogen.

With such a large presence around the world, the company hopes to create a global impact on its brand and the coffee industry in general.

Rival McDonald's said last month that it would stop using foam cups by the end of this year, and Starbucks uses paper cups.

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