Paper coffee cups can be just as damaging as plastic cups if not properly disposed of, a local environmental group has warned.

Beyond Plastic Bermuda shared a wired.com article with The Royal Gazette which highlights that plastic linings in paper cups release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

The article stated: “Manufacturers add processing acids, heat stabilisers and other substances, many of which are known to be toxic.

“Even if plant-derived materials are used —such as polylactic acid, a material derived from corn, cassava or sugarcane that’s used to coat paper cups — cup makers often add a number of other chemicals during processing.”

It added that the difficulty of removing the plastic lining from the paper often makes the cups hard to recycle.

According to the article, alternatives to paper or plastic coffee cups include cups made from ceramic, glass, stainless steel or even waffles or biscuits.

With members from environmental organisations on the island, Beyond Plastic Bermuda hopes to end the use of single-use plastics in Bermuda through individual and collective actions.

To reduce plastic usage, people can bring their own bag to the grocery store, use metal or wooden cutlery, switch to chewing natural or organic gum and wrap food in beeswax or reusable bags.