Do You Know the Symbol Numbers on the Coffee Cup Lid?

Coffee, simply speaking, is a kind of refreshing drink. Nowadays, more and more people are fond of drinking coffee. Whether at home, in the office or in various social situations, people are all drinking coffee.

It is gradually associated with fashion and modern life, evolving into a kind of coffee culture.

There are less people will pay attention to the triangle symbol number on the cup lid. Even if they have noticed it, they have no idea of its meaning, not to mention that notice the material of the cup lid such as a takeaway coffee cup lid. However, it matters for our health.

1. Recognize the triangle symbol number on the takeaway coffee cup lids

The triangle symbolizes that the cup can be recycled and reused, and it also represents that the product is not produced with recycled materials. The middle number means the code of the plastic type, which is also the "identity card" of the plastic: different numbers represent different plastic materials and functions.

-Number 1, PET (polyethene glycol terephthalate). The mineral water bottles and carbonated beverage bottles are made of this material. It can be heat-resistant to 70℃, which is not suitable for containing acid and alkaline beverages.

-Number 2, HDPE (high-density polyethylene). It is commonly used in pharmaceuticals, cleaning products and bath products, which is not suitable for making water cups.

-Number 3, PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It is prone to produce two kinds of toxic and harmful substances, which have been less used in packaging food.

-Number 4, LDPE (low-density polyethylene). It is applied in plastic wrap, plastic film and so on. The heat resistance is not high, and the hot melt phenomenon will occur when the temperature exceeds 110℃.

-Number 5, PP (polypropylene). The lunch box suitable for a microwave oven is made of such material, which can be resistant to the high temperature of 130℃.

-Number 6, PS (polystyrene). This material is used for making bowl-filled instant noodle boxes and foamed fast food boxes.

-Number 7, PC and other types. PC is mainly used for making feeders and space cups.

The number 6 on the lid for coffee cup represents the above PS (polystyrene). In addition to the material numbers, the colour of the compostable sip lid is also meaningful, which is mainly white, black or transparent shown on the market.

But black is the last colour in the processing of plastic, which may be made of scrap materials, or even contains heavy metals. Thus, it is not recommended that choose black, and it is better to choose white or transparent.

2. Do you know the harms of the coffee cup lid when drinking hot coffee?

No. 6 plastic is the most commonly used material, and it is also the most commonly used material for cup lids of hot drinks produced by cup lid manufacturers. But its potential harm cannot be underestimated.

Generally speaking, No.1 plastic will deform under the condition of high temperature, but won't release harmful substances. While the No.6 plastic encounters a high temperature which is higher than 90℃, it will slowly decompose insoluble styrene.

According to relevant information, styrene is more harmful with strong irritation, which can irritate and anaesthetize eyes and the upper respiratory tract, and is also a carcinogen.

3. While drinking coffee, please pay attention to the coffee cup lid

Use the white cup lid as far as possible and avoid using the black one. While drinking hot drinks, you can pay attention to the symbol on the cup lid. When the temperature of the beverage is higher than 90℃, you should not drink with the cup lid.

Drink less coffee in paper cups and use coffee cups made of ceramics as far as possible. The active molecules of the ceramics are relatively stable under conditions of high temperature and are not easy to release harmful substances.

Pay more attention to the symbol numbers on the containers of food. Simple small action is more beneficial to health. Take action!