The Negative Impacts of Plastic Coffee Lids
If you're like most people, you probably don't give much thought to the coffee lid atop your morning cup of joe. But did you know that those disposable lids are having a major impact on our environment? Let's take a closer look at why plastic coffee lids are bad and what we can do to reduce our reliance on them.
The Dangers of Plastic Coffee Lids
Plastic coffee lids are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that takes millions of years to form. And once those lids end up in landfills, they can take hundreds of years to decompose. In the meantime, they release harmful toxins into the soil and water, which can eventually make their way into our food and water supply.
Not only that, but plastic coffee lids are often made with bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has been linked to a host of health problems including cancer, infertility, and birth defects. So not only are plastic coffee lids bad for the environment, they're bad for our health too!
Reducing Our Reliance on Plastic Coffee Lids
Fortunately, there are some simple steps we can all take to reduce our reliance on plastic coffee lids. For starters, we can ditch disposable coffee cups altogether and opt for reusable mugs instead or ask the barista to ditch the plastic lid for use a Lydy instead.
We can also support businesses that are working to reduce their environmental impact. More and more cafes and coffee shops are offering compostable or biodegradable cups for their beverages. Lydy may cost a bit more upfront, but they'll save money in the long run by reducing waste. And when we all pitch in to do our part, we can make a big difference for our planet.
Next time you reach for a cup of coffee, think about the lid atop your drink. Those disposable plastic lids may be convenient, but they come with some serious environmental consequences. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can all do our part to reduce our reliance on plastic and help protect our planet for future generations.