With the ongoing global climate emergency, Thirsty Work has a responsibility to play our part in reducing the environmental impact on our planet. To reflect that, we’ve made significant changes to the way we operate and one area we’ve taken action on is reducing our single-use plastics by introducing a full range of recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable paper cups.

The global plastic problem

Plastic waste is an all too common problem around the world. While we’re all aware that plastics end up in our oceans, the statistics still make for shocking reading. According to National Geographic, 1m single-use plastic bottles are sold every minute. With 40% of all plastics being used once then thrown away, as many as 5 trillion pieces of plastic are already in our oceans.

All of this has devastating consequences for the environment and our wildlife. From microplastics entering the ecosystem to the deaths of ocean birds, fish, and mammals by plastic ingestion and entanglement. This is why Thirsty Work is committed to reducing our impact and introducing more sustainable materials in all our products.

Our switch from plastic to paper

In line with our updated environmental policy, one of the first changes we made came in 2018, with a new range of eco-friendly, recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable paper cups. As well as proposing them as an option for every customer, we also took the bold step of automatically switching all of our existing customers to the new range.

Thanks to this, we’ve achieved a 99% reduction in the amount of single-use plastic cups we distribute to our customers – with plenty of positive feedback as a result.

Though we can supply our fully recyclable, single-use plastic cups, our attitude is that we should be doing our best to prevent waste plastic in the first place, hence the switch to paper materials. So while recycling is better than landfill, greatly reducing single-use plastics is even better.

Recyclable And Biodegradable Paper Cups

With plenty of cup options catering for our mains fed and bottled water coolers and hot water dispensers, together with hot drink cups with lids and stirrers, our most popular cups are these three options:

Thirsty Work 7oz (200ml) Recyclable Paper Cups

Ideal for our ambient and chilled mains fed and bottled water coolers, these sturdy, Thirsty Work-branded paper cups are fully recyclable in standard recycling waste collections.

Thirsty Work 7oz (200ml) Biodegradable Paper Cups

For use with our mains fed and bottled water coolers and hot water dispensers, these plastic-free Thirsty Work-branded cups are made from non-toxic paper and plant extract (PLA). They’re completely biodegradable and compostable, as well as fully recyclable.

Thirsty Work 4oz (100ml) Biodegradable Paper Cone Cups

A neat alternative to our 7oz cups, these plastic-free, plain white 4oz cone cups are made from non-toxic paper and plant extract (PLA). Again, they’re completely biodegradable and compostable, as well as fully recyclable.

Take action, one cup at a time

As one of the UK’s leading water cooler suppliers, we’re always looking to make changes to reduce our environmental impact. And by using a Thirsty Work water cooler in your office, communal, or public space, you’re also taking action – one paper cup at a time – to reduce single-use plastics and keep everyone hydrated and refreshed with pure-filtered water at the same time.

For more information on our water dispenser range, our recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable paper cups, or to start your free trial, contact our team today on 01392 877172 or email us at hello@thirstywork.com.