The challenge of reducing the environmental impact of disposable plastic cups

Miroslav Zapryanov, a young Bulgarian entrepreneur, introduced in 2010 a revolutionary idea in the coffee industry: an edible cup for hot drinks. This innovation led to the creation of the start-up Cupffee in 2014, with the launch of large-scale production in the industrial district of Plovdiv, which has become a major innovation center in the Balkans.

After obtaining the patent in 2018,  Cupffee increased its production capacity in 2019 and moved to a larger, automated and digitized location in 2020. This step allowed the company to produce in an even more sustainable and modern way, to meet the growing demand and establish partnerships with major international brands, including H&M, Ethiad, Reiffeisen Bank, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Bühler and Lavazza.

The cups produced by Cupffee are available in two volumes, 110 and 220 ml, and are made using six non-GMO plant materials, such as oat bran, wheat flour and sugar. Without the addition of dyes, preservatives or other additives, these cups are similar to crunchy waffles that retain their integrity for 40 minutes at a temperature of 85ºC and do not lose liquid for 12 hours.

With a weight of only 14 or 26 grams, Cupffee cups do not alter the taste of coffee, but have a slight cereal flavor and provide only 56 or 105 calories, depending on the volume. In addition, the cups feature a paper base that allows you to handle them when they are filled with hot liquid and can be customized with a company logo or phrase for a recurrence. This base is also made of recycled cardboard, and all production waste is reused in the production cycle, minimizing waste.

Another advantage of Cupffee cups is their cost, less than half a euro per unit, which can vary depending on the transport. The company claims to be able to deliver their cups around the world.

Thanks to its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability, Cupffee is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the field of eco-friendly solutions for the consumption of hot drinks. With its edible cup, the company is proving that you can enjoy a cup of coffee without leaving a negative impact on the environment.

Every day, 400 million disposable plastic cups are used worldwide, with disastrous consequences for the environment. Aware of this problem, Miroslav Zapryanov decided to do his part to reduce the negative impact of plastic, collecting funds from European funds of the European Innovation Council, for a total of 1.3 million euros, and signing an agreement with the investment fund Eleven Ventures for an additional 500,000 euros.

Thanks to these investments, Cupffee has already achieved a monthly production of 2.5-3 million edible cups, but the ambitious goal is to further increase production capacity to 10 million cups per month. The company aims to expand its presence not only on the European market, but also in the United States, Australia and the Middle East, aiming to become the global leader in a booming industry.

Replacing 10 million plastic cups per month with edible cups would have an immediate impact on plastic reduction, but it would also have the potential to encourage more responsible behaviour in those living in countries where the use of disposable plastic is still widespread.

Cupffee aims to guide this transition to a more sustainable future by offering an innovative solution that not only reduces environmental impact, but also offers a pleasant experience for consumers. Edible cups are not only made from non-GMO plant materials, but are also crunchy and do not alter the flavor of hot drinks. In addition, the paper base allows customizations and contributes to the recycling of production waste.

With its mission to become a global leader in the edible cup industry, Cupffee is demonstrating that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand, offering a practical and attractive solution to reduce the use of disposable plastic and promote more responsible behaviour in the field of hot drinks.