Goodbye plastic cups
Dec 18, 2023, 3:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,939
Goodbye plastic cups
Delta is phasing out plastic cups in favor of new paper cups. Same cups for all drinks, hot and cold. Trial underway with full rollout in 2024.
https://news.delta.com/sustainable-science-how-delta-eliminating-7m-pounds-single-use-plastic-board-new-paper-cups
https://news.delta.com/sustainable-science-how-delta-eliminating-7m-pounds-single-use-plastic-board-new-paper-cups
Dec 18, 2023, 3:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: Delta PM, SPG, Hertz Presidents Circle, IHG Ambassador, CLEAR/Global Entry
Posts: 239
Got the cups on a flight last week...No excuses now for nursing your drinks! Bottoms up! 
Dec 18, 2023, 3:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I’ve had the paper cups on AS and while I don’t love them, I’m okay with this. In Y, because they are always collecting trash, it’s shocking how often the plastic cups really are only used once before being disposed of.
Dec 18, 2023, 6:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,706
Paper is both renewable and biodegradable. I'm in favor.
Dec 18, 2023, 9:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
1. "Paper" cups have a pfas or other similar plastic liner.
2. Plastic cups can be easily recycled especially from a controlled environment like an airplane.
3. If you incinerate plastic cups in a Waste to Energy facility like they do in most of northern Europe, Scandanavia, Japan and Korea, the carbon footprint of plastic cups is less than that of paper.
The switch to paper cups is just virtue signalling and only works because they have dumb customers.
2. Plastic cups can be easily recycled especially from a controlled environment like an airplane.
3. If you incinerate plastic cups in a Waste to Energy facility like they do in most of northern Europe, Scandanavia, Japan and Korea, the carbon footprint of plastic cups is less than that of paper.
The switch to paper cups is just virtue signalling and only works because they have dumb customers.
Dec 18, 2023, 9:25 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,706
Wow, making lots of assumptions there...bully for all those smarter countries that are so smarter than us rubes!
Dec 19, 2023, 12:07 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 25
I support Delta’s decision to switch to paper cups. I think it’s a great initiative to reduce plastic waste and environmental impact.
Dec 19, 2023, 6:47 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
Can't wait for whiskey on ice in a paper cup! But why would they care?
Dec 19, 2023, 7:04 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,939
1. "Paper" cups have a pfas or other similar plastic liner.
2. Plastic cups can be easily recycled especially from a controlled environment like an airplane.
3. If you incinerate plastic cups in a Waste to Energy facility like they do in most of northern Europe, Scandanavia, Japan and Korea, the carbon footprint of plastic cups is less than that of paper.
The switch to paper cups is just virtue signalling and only works because they have dumb customers.
2. Plastic cups can be easily recycled especially from a controlled environment like an airplane.
3. If you incinerate plastic cups in a Waste to Energy facility like they do in most of northern Europe, Scandanavia, Japan and Korea, the carbon footprint of plastic cups is less than that of paper.
The switch to paper cups is just virtue signalling and only works because they have dumb customers.
If you think FAs and cleaners reliably sort plastic cups for proper recycling, I have a property to sell you in beautiful Prudhoe Bay. Even if plastic cups do make it to "recycling," they are not truly recycled into new cups. Paper can really be recycled into new paper. Reality is most of these cups are going to end up in landfills and I'd rather have them be compostable paper than plastic.
Last edited by DLASflyer; Dec 19, 2023 at 7:11 am
Dec 19, 2023, 10:46 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KATL
Programs: DL, WN, AA, Marriott, Hertz, National, Chic-fil-A
Posts: 234
I'd say good, unless you order a cocktail. Something about sipping a beer, wine, or whiskey & Coke out of a paper cup I find cheap and unappealing.
For alcohol, they should serve beer from the can, and wine/cocktails in a glass like in F or washable plastic cup. All other bevs in paper fine with me. This should work with the initiative of eliminating single-use plastics.
Anecdotally, I've had countless experiences when I've ordered a coffee with cream and I get a coffee cup, and a second plastic cup containing 1-2 of those little creamer tubes, napkin and stir-stick. Sometimes, 2 (two!) plastic cups containing the coffee accessories. What an absolute waste of materials and money with a significant environmental impact. Stop that, Delta. Just hand us the stuff and we can manage it from there.
For alcohol, they should serve beer from the can, and wine/cocktails in a glass like in F or washable plastic cup. All other bevs in paper fine with me. This should work with the initiative of eliminating single-use plastics.
Anecdotally, I've had countless experiences when I've ordered a coffee with cream and I get a coffee cup, and a second plastic cup containing 1-2 of those little creamer tubes, napkin and stir-stick. Sometimes, 2 (two!) plastic cups containing the coffee accessories. What an absolute waste of materials and money with a significant environmental impact. Stop that, Delta. Just hand us the stuff and we can manage it from there.
Dec 19, 2023, 10:53 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I recall Delta was recently testing more durable reusable plastic cups; I guess this means that test didn’t work out for some reason or another.
Dec 19, 2023, 11:45 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
Wouldn't paper cups quickly go to mush with ice inside it?
Dec 19, 2023, 1:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 209
Can't be worse than those wooden utensils that stick to your lips lol. I'm game to give it a go...
Dec 19, 2023, 4:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: DL 4MM; DM
Posts: 1,397
Nothing says “premium” like a paper cup.