Transcend Packaging tackles hidden plastic in takeaway coffee cups

How much plastic could a lifetime of takeaway coffee add up to?

According to IW Capital portfolio company Transcend Packaging Ltd., enjoying a takeaway coffee once a week on average could mean using more than 25,000 disposable cups over a lifetime.

Many disposable paper cups contain a thin polyethylene (PE) lining to keep them watertight. Over a lifetime, Transcend Packaging estimates that this hidden plastic could add up to around 25kg – roughly the weight of a fully packed holiday suitcase.

It’s a clear example of how small, everyday choices can add up over time, and why the way packaging is designed matters.

That’s why Transcend Packaging has spent years developing Rubicon, its PE-free cup platform. Rubicon replaces the conventional plastic lining found in many disposable cups with a natural mineral barrier, offering an alternative approach to takeaway cup packaging.

At IW Capital, we’re proud to back brilliant businesses developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Transcend Packaging’s work demonstrates how innovation in everyday products can help address the challenge of unnecessary plastic use.