A plastic-free solution: Transcend Packaging introduces Rubicon

Whether it’s a morning coffee run, tea in the office or hot chocolate in a waiting room, consumers use paper cups on a regular basis. Whilst most of us use paper cups out of convenience, there are underlying effects that daily consumption might have on both our health and the environment.

The Hidden Problem with Paper Cups

To ensure drinks don’t spill, manufacturers line paper cups with plastic polymers such as polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) to make them waterproof. When hot liquid is poured into your cup, the heat may cause these liners to shed microplastic particles into your drink. Invisible to the eye, these are then ingested and absorbed by your body, which has been widely discussed to have potential risks to your health.

Paper cups are not particularly eco-friendly either. Research by the Environmental Investigation Agency suggests that less than 1% of disposable coffee cups and recycled in the UK. This means that the majority end up in landfills or as litter in the environment, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Introducing the Rubicon Range

IW Capital’s portfolio company, Transcend Packaging, is a packaging company on a mission to eliminate plastic waste with science, scale and smart thinking. It has introduced the Rubicon range, which features a next-generation paper cup lined with a mineral barrier, eliminating the use of plastic, PE or PLA.

The innovative product runs on existing machines and behaves like a conventional paper cup whilst significantly reducing plastic exposure and regulatory risk. The Rubicon is designed to meet food safety standards and is fully recyclable in standard paper waste streams, making it a sustainable choice for consumers.