Do plastic-lined paper cups contribute to microplastic ingestion when used for hot coffee?

What's actually in it

Those disposable paper cups aren't just paper. They are coated with a thin layer of plastic to keep them from getting soggy. When you pour hot coffee into them, that plastic lining starts to break down.

Research shows these cups contain phthalates (chemicals used to make plastic soft) and bisphenols. They also contain photoinitiators and perfluorinated compounds. These chemicals can move from the cup lining directly into your drink, according to a 2026 study in J Environ Sci Health B.

What the research says

The science is clear: these cups are a source of microplastics. A 2026 study in Food Chem Toxicol confirmed the presence of these particles in disposable paper cups. Once you drink from these cups, you are ingesting these materials.

This is a major health concern because of what these particles do to your body. A 2026 study in Environ Pollut found that eating a mixture of microplastics like those found in the environment causes inflammation and tumor growth in the colon. This peer-reviewed research highlights that these plastics are not just inert waste. They are active threats to your health.