# Should we go back to waxed paper Cups and Containers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [August 29, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315 "2023-08-29T22:53:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/1 "2023-08-29T22:53:18Z")
**Should we go back to waxed paper Cups and Containers?** _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/1))_ Waxed paper Cups and boxes were standard food containers for most of my life. Wendys, Burger King, McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants used them. Cardboard take out boxes were standard. Straws were wax paper. I never understood the switch to plastic cups, foam core boxes and plastic straws. Wouldn’t they be more expensive compared to wax paper? Plastic containers are not recyclable and never break down in landfills. I just had yogurt for dinner. It’s in a plastic container. 35 years ago it was a wax paper container. **Should we go back to waxed paper Cups and Containers?** ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/2 "2023-08-29T23:05:45Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I never understood the switch to plastic cups, foam core boxes and plastic straws. Wouldn’t they be more expensive compared to wax paper? Given the profit margins that fast food restaurants operate on, all else being equal, I can say with a high degree of certainty that, if waxed paper cups, etc. were less expensive than the plastic equivalent, the restaurants would switch to them in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/3 "2023-08-29T23:10:07Z")
I do remember drinks in wax paper cups would eventually soak through. Soggy cups. But it took over night and the soda was flat anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/4 "2023-08-29T23:11:40Z")
Are waxed paper cups recyclable? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/5 "2023-08-29T23:16:11Z")
Various sites I’m finding indicate that no, they generally aren’t, due to the wax (or, in many cases plastic) coating, which can’t be easily removed from the paper during the recycling process. > **[Why aren't paper cups recyclable or compostable if they are made from paper?...](https://envirocenter.org/why-arent-paper-cups-recyclable-or-compostable-if-they-are-made-from-paper/)** > > As events and activities pick up around Central Oregon with spring approaching, community members and businesses frequently ask about recycling and composting paper cups. Why aren’t paper cups recyclable or… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/6 "2023-08-29T23:16:27Z")
They’re compostable. Link [How To Dispose of Wax Coated Paper Cups (Solved and Explained) - Container FAQs](https://containerfaqs.com/dispose-wax-coated-paper-cups/) > [@](#): > > These paper cups don’t contain any plastic and are made from 100% organic wax, which makes them perfectly compostable when integrated in an industrial process (commercial compost). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/7 "2023-08-29T23:17:46Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > They’re compostable. Maybe. I’m seeing disagreement on this from different sources (including the site I linked to above your post); I suspect it depends on what is being used for the “wax” coating. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/8 "2023-08-29T23:19:14Z")
The article advises that some paper cups are plastic lined and are a disposal problem. Paper cups lined with 100% wax should be used. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/9 "2023-08-29T23:21:32Z")
My problem is that when I’m at a place that has separate bins for the landfill, for recycling and for compostable stuff is that I never know which bin each thing should go in. So I just end up throwing everything in the landfill bin. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/10 "2023-08-29T23:27:03Z")
There’s no easy answers. I prefer restaurants that offer glass cups for dine-in. But those cups require washing and sterilizing in hot, soapy water. So use water or deal with a disposable cup? There’s no ideal answer. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/11 "2023-08-30T00:22:19Z")
Burgers always tasted best when wrapped in wax paper, as opposed to those damn boxes. Maybe the steam does something. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/12 "2023-08-30T00:32:02Z")
I remember that too. They used a toothpick to secure the wax paper. A bag of burgers was a treat in my childhood. We only had local mom & pop burger places. The franchises came years later. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/13 "2023-08-30T01:18:51Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Paper cups lined with 100% wax should be used. Why? It doesn’t appear that they can be recycled, and how many fast-food places (or individuals) actually do composting? If fast-food cups, wrappers, etc. can be made from recycled paper, that’d probably be at least somewhat better than single-use plastic, even if they can’t be recycled again. ---
**Author:** ![Yosh99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ccd318/32.png) [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/14 "2023-08-30T03:00:04Z")
Nobody makes paraffin wax on purpose. It’s an unwanted byproduct of lube oil manufacturing and there are catalytic methods that greatly reduce the amount produced. There have been several severe paraffin wax shortages over the last 20 years which makes me wonder if there is enough supply to expand the use of wax coatings. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/15 "2023-08-30T03:08:32Z")
> [@Yosh99](#): > > Nobody makes paraffin wax on purpose. It’s an unwanted byproduct of lube oil manufacturing and there are catalytic methods that greatly reduce the amount produced. Today I learned that paraffin wax is petroleum-based. [This article indicates](https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/can-you-compost-candle-wax.php) that, due to this, it’s also not appropriate for use in composting, because it’s non-biodegradable. [This other article](https://theroundup.org/is-wax-compostable/) indicates that waxed paper made from organic wax _can_ be compostible, but only if it doesn’t have grease/oil on it (which would disqualify most used fast-food containers): > [@](#): > > Whereas [paper itself is biodegradable](https://theroundup.org/is-tissue-paper-biodegradable/) since is made from trees, traditionally wax paper has been coated with a synthetic resin called polyethylene to stop it from melting. According to [Ecocycle](https://ecocycle.org/files/pdfs/microplastics_in_compost_presentation.pdf), this makes it non-biodegradable. > > However, you can compost wax paper coated with beeswax, soybean wax, vegetable paraffin wax, or other natural waxes. > > If the wax paper is contaminated with oil, fat, or grease, it should not be placed in the compost bin. Oil and water don’t mix, and water is vital to the composting process. So wax papers covered in oil will not break down. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/16 "2023-08-30T03:37:13Z")
It’s an interesting dilemma. Is plastic or wax paper worse than the environment? Interesting article on plastic straws and alternatives. People with disabilities need good straws. Many have problems swallowing. [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/news-how-plastic-straw-bans-work](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/news-how-plastic-straw-bans-work) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/17 "2023-08-30T14:51:23Z")
I don’t know if I’d call it a _byproduct_, as much as its feedstock is just a set of fractions from the refining process that aren’t typically used for fuel production called “slack wax”. It’s no more a byproduct than say… heavy fuel oil used in ships, or propane is- they’re essentially just different cuts off the distilling column. Refine slack wax a little, and you’ve got paraffin wax, which is a mixture of alkanes between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Slack wax itself can be converted into fuel and lubricating oil (IIRC Shell’s super-high end synthetic motor oil was at one point made from hydrotreated slack wax). But yeah, none of it is biodegradable. I imagine that if biodegradable wax becomes a necessity, they’ll just hydrogenate readily available vegetable oils into waxes. Stuff like soy wax is already available and sustainable. The big question that I would foresee is whether or not that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Replacing paraffin wax with palm oil based wax wouldn’t seem to be much of an improvement in a lot of ways for example. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/18 "2023-08-30T15:04:48Z")
I remember my mom packing our lunches, wrapping the sandwiches in waxed paper. Maybe this was before baggies were available? I do not think I’ve _ever_ purchased waxed paper. Why would I? Last night I used parchment paper, something I don’t recall my mom ever using. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/19 "2023-08-30T15:15:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Maybe this was before baggies were available? Plastic sandwich baggies were released to the market in 1957, but that doesn’t guarantee any particular family would switch over to them immediately. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315/20 "2023-08-30T15:16:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I never understood the switch to plastic cups, foam core boxes and plastic straws. I didn’t see a huge improvement in quality with plastic cups over wax-paper cups, but the wax-paper straws routinely disintegrated before I’d completed my drink. As a very conservative kid, I viewed those new-fangled plastic straws with suspicion. For about 2 weeks. And then I realized they were a VAST improvement over wax-paper straws. Some of the newer heavy cardboard straws are good enough, but I wonder if they actually use fewer resources (including the fuel to make and ship them) than the cheap and lightweight plastic straws do. And even the best paper straws that I’ve found aren’t as functional as plastic ones. > [@aceplace57](#): > > I just had yogurt for dinner. It’s in a plastic container. 35 years ago it was a wax paper container. I think for something like a yogurt, which is intended to keep for weeks, not hours, a plastic container is superior. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-go-back-to-waxed-paper-cups-and-containers/989315.md?page=2)