Final answer:
A Life Cycle analysis suggests that paper cups may be more sustainable than plastic cups, considering the inefficiencies in recycling plastics and their long-term environmental impact. Paper cups potentially offer better recycling outcomes and less environmental burden due to faster decomposition compared to plastics.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the debate between paper cups and plastic cups, a Life Cycle analysis (LCA) is essential to evaluate which option is more sustainable. When considering the impact on the environment, the weight and cost of producing reusable water bottles compared to the weight and cost of the plastic cups they displace can provide insights. It's important to consider the inefficiency of plastic recycling; only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. This indicates that reducing the use of disposable plastic cups could have a better environmental outcome.
Beyond recycling, the environmental burden caused by the disposal of plastic cups is significant, with huge numbers ending up in landfills each year. However, when focusing on big impacts, recycling plastics is less clear-cut in terms of energy and resource savings when compared to metals or paper. Thus, reducing the use of plastics may take precedence over recycling as an approach to sustainability.
Ultimately, assessing the cycle of use and disposal of both paper and plastic cups, paper may prove more advantageous due to its better recycling efficiency and the heavy toll plastic takes over centuries of decomposition.