Single-use paper cups used for takeaway coffee and other beverages release millions of microplastic particles when exposed to hot liquid, University of Queensland researchers have found.
One must imagine you happy for learning so much because once again you’re confusing one thing with another, this time the industrial manufacturing of a raw material with the application of a coating.
Wax coatings do not polymerize when applied to packaging. The packaging factory uses hot-melt or roll coating: they heat the wax until it liquidfies, roll or spray it onto the paper, and let it cool. It’s a purely physical phase change (melting and freezing), not a chemical polymerization reaction. The individual molecules remain short-chain, low-molecular-weight compounds.
Even synthetic options like polyethylene wax are fully polymerized at the chemical plant before they ever touch the packaging, and they are specifically engineered to remain low-molecular-weight fractions that dont form persistent microplastics. If the packaging uses bio-based waxes (like beeswax or soy), polymerization never happens at any point in the cycle.
And yes, wax is soluble in grease and physically weaker than plastic… that’s why it safely biodegrades in the environment and passes through biological systems, rather than mechanically fragmenting into indestructible, toxic microplastics that last for generations.
No more goalpost-moving, don’t ask another question until you’ve done an iota of research. Are you trolling?
100% pure wax coatings are an entire multi-billion dollar sector of the packaging industry. Spend a second to research it yourself before making plastic-licking comments.
Wax-Saturated Corrugated Produce Boxes are the heavy-duty boxes used to ship wet ice-packed broccoli, celery, and seafood across the country are submerged in cascades of 100% pure petroleum or natural wax. It completely saturates the cardboard to make it waterproof without a single drop of plastic film.
Mini BAbybel cheeses are wrapped in a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, with zero plastic polymers. It’s designed to act as a breathable, protective crust that is completely non-toxic.
Brands like Ulta Bravo make highly popular commercial kitchen wraps using organic cotton coated strictly in a blend of pure beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil.
No, you simply listed a bunch of stuff that’s coated in plastic and insisted that it’s not plastic.
Reminds me of this time I went to a plastic conference and watched the organizer cut the mic from a presenter and kick him out for showing evidence plastic recycling wasn’t real.
One must imagine you happy for learning so much because once again you’re confusing one thing with another, this time the industrial manufacturing of a raw material with the application of a coating.
Wax coatings do not polymerize when applied to packaging. The packaging factory uses hot-melt or roll coating: they heat the wax until it liquidfies, roll or spray it onto the paper, and let it cool. It’s a purely physical phase change (melting and freezing), not a chemical polymerization reaction. The individual molecules remain short-chain, low-molecular-weight compounds.
Even synthetic options like polyethylene wax are fully polymerized at the chemical plant before they ever touch the packaging, and they are specifically engineered to remain low-molecular-weight fractions that dont form persistent microplastics. If the packaging uses bio-based waxes (like beeswax or soy), polymerization never happens at any point in the cycle.
And yes, wax is soluble in grease and physically weaker than plastic… that’s why it safely biodegrades in the environment and passes through biological systems, rather than mechanically fragmenting into indestructible, toxic microplastics that last for generations.
Ok. Find me a single product that’s coated in 100% wax. Not one that’s coated in 98% plastic with a 2% wax additive.
No more goalpost-moving, don’t ask another question until you’ve done an iota of research. Are you trolling?
100% pure wax coatings are an entire multi-billion dollar sector of the packaging industry. Spend a second to research it yourself before making plastic-licking comments.
Wax-Saturated Corrugated Produce Boxes are the heavy-duty boxes used to ship wet ice-packed broccoli, celery, and seafood across the country are submerged in cascades of 100% pure petroleum or natural wax. It completely saturates the cardboard to make it waterproof without a single drop of plastic film.
Mini BAbybel cheeses are wrapped in a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, with zero plastic polymers. It’s designed to act as a breathable, protective crust that is completely non-toxic.
Brands like Ulta Bravo make highly popular commercial kitchen wraps using organic cotton coated strictly in a blend of pure beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil.
Thousands of examples
Wild to complain about goalpost moving and then using checks notes corrugated boxes as an example of non-plastic coffee cups.
I do remember using tree resin in coatings. It was part of the polymer of course, but we did write bio based eco friendly on the label.
Did I reply to you asking for examples of non-plastic coffee cups? Begone recalcitrant troll
No, you simply listed a bunch of stuff that’s coated in plastic and insisted that it’s not plastic.
Reminds me of this time I went to a plastic conference and watched the organizer cut the mic from a presenter and kick him out for showing evidence plastic recycling wasn’t real.