05 Nov
by Simon
Plastic Free certified since 2017, we're taking our sustainable coffee service to the next level with truly compostable cups
Here at Pig and Olive, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's been at the heart of everything we do since 2017, when we became Plastic Free certified. From switching to compostable vac bags to ensuring all our packaging is compostable, we've worked tirelessly to reduce our environmental footprint. Today, we're excited to share our latest step forward: we've replaced our Vegware cups and lids with The Good Cup—a revolutionary plastic-free coffee cup solution.
The statistics around disposable coffee cup waste in the UK are sobering:
If these cups were lined up, they would circle the Earth 5.5 times. With coffee culture continuing to grow, it's estimated that UK coffee cup usage could increase by another 33% by 2030 if we don't take action now.
When we initially switched to Vegware, we thought we were making the right environmental choice. The packaging said "compostable," which sounds perfect. But here's what we discovered about the reality of PLA-based products:
Here's the critical issue: Vegware products are only compostable in industrial composting facilities where temperatures reach 55-70°C (131-158°F). Under these specialized conditions:
Most people in the UK don't have access to industrial composting facilities. Without these specific conditions:
So while the intention was good, the reality is that most Vegware cups and lids still end up in general waste or landfill, not actually being composted at all. This is greenwashing by technicality—products that meet standards on paper but fail in real-world scenarios.
When we discovered The Good Cup, it was honestly a no-brainer. This multi-award-winning innovation (including recognition in TIME Magazine's Best Innovations of 2023) completely eliminates the need for a plastic lid and is truly sustainable without requiring specialised facilities.
The cup features a fully integrated paper lid that folds and locks in just 2 seconds—no PLA, no CPLA, no separate plastic lid required
It's biodegradable in nature, compostable at home (not just industrially), and recyclable with standard paper recycling—no special facilities needed
Made entirely from FSC and PEFC certified sustainable paper
Works for both hot and cold drinks, fits under most coffee machines, and is completely spill-proof
Recognised globally for innovation in sustainable packaging
This is the crucial distinction: The Good Cup doesn't require you to hunt down an industrial composting facility. You can:
No special conditions. No industrial facilities. No greenwashing. Just a genuinely sustainable solution that works in the real world for real people.
As a Plastic Free certified business since 2017, this switch perfectly complements our existing sustainability initiatives. We've already eliminated almost all plastic waste from our operations through:
The Good Cup allows us to take our coffee service to the same high environmental standard as everything else we do—with products that are actually accessible to everyone, not just those with access to industrial composting.
Every small change adds up, but those changes need to be genuine. The switch from traditional plastic-lined cups to truly plastic-free alternatives like The Good Cup represents the kind of honest sustainability the industry needs.
When you grab your next coffee from Pig and Olive, take a moment to appreciate The Good Cup. Fold the lid, lock it in place, and know that you're enjoying your coffee with a cup that will actually break down in your garden compost or recycle with your paper—not sit in a landfill for 80 years waiting for an industrial composter that doesn't exist nearby.
No plastic lid. No hidden requirements. No greenwashing. Just good coffee in a genuinely good cup.
Yes! Unlike PLA-based cups that require industrial composting facilities at 55-70°C, The Good Cup is made from 100% paper and will break down in a standard home compost bin.
In a home compost environment, The Good Cup will biodegrade naturally. In industrial composting, it breaks down even faster. In nature, it biodegrades without leaving microplastics.
Absolutely! The Good Cup can be recycled with your standard paper recycling—no special facilities needed.
Yes! The lid folds and locks in just 2 seconds and is completely spill-proof. It works for both hot and cold drinks.
While Vegware requires industrial composting facilities (which most people don't have access to), The Good Cup is home compostable, recyclable with paper, and biodegradable in nature. It's sustainable in practice, not just in theory.
Visit us to try The Good Cup for yourself and taste the difference that genuinely sustainable practices make.
