Originally Posted by relangford

Styrofoam cups are fully recyclable . I have been an Environmental Engineer for over 45 years (one of the first), and have a Ph.D. in chemistry; and was formerly the environment, safety, industrial hygiene, and health manager for one of the world largest producers of styrofoam (al least, until they sold that division off). The environmental concerns of styrofoam (many years ago) were the blowing agents used to put the bubbles in the structure - these were changed to environmentally safe blowing agents more than 20 years ago. I manage a large-scale recycling effort in my current position, by the way - including recycling styrofoam.

Now, as to coffee quality, a harder (i.e., polyethylene or other (PET) cup will probably not add taste to the coffee, as some styrofoam might. So, the change may result in better tasting coffee, but will do nothing for recycling.