Coffee cups kick start research
Are biodegradable coffee cups really biodegradable?
That is the question three Kaeo home school students are tackling in their science fair project.
Lizzy Varney, with Jessica and Nina Quinlan were involved as recycling ambassadors in the waste-free Waitangi Day commemorations.
Jessica says they saw all of the biodegradable cups in the bins and wondered how well they broke down.
‘‘We decided we wanted to find out.’’
The group approached six coffee vendors in Kaeo and 20 in Kerikeri to find that only eight stocked takeaway cups that claimed to be biodegradable.
Some vendors were unsure whether their cups were recyclable but all were willing to fill reusable cups if they were able to fit on the coffee machine.
Their investigations turned into an idea for a science fair project to be completed in August.
Jessica says they will bury all of the cups that were biodegradable in compost, and dig them up every four weeks to track how much each cup breaks down.
The findings will be presented as part of the local science fair.
After the results are in, the group want to issue a challenge to local coffee vendors to offer a discount to people who bring reusable cups.
Lizzy says she thinks the cups will only break down in certain conditions.
She says the group wants to raise awareness about how much rubbish goes into the landfill and the ocean.
Through their research they had discovered that around 180 million takeaway coffee cups are used every year in New Zealand.
Jessica and Nina’s mother, Katharina says every owner was interested to hear the results of the project.
After filling up seven 50litre rubbish bags in a 200m area in Kaeo, the group are also keen to organise cleanups on the roadside and in the Whangaroa Harbour.
‘‘New Zealand is such a beauti- ful country,’’ Katharina says.
‘‘We want to keep it that way.’’ Lizzy’s mother Zena says their research has also looked into France phasing out single-use plastic and what qualities products need to have in order to be classed as biodegradable.
Would you take your own refillable cups to a cafe for your coffee hit? Vote on our Neighbourly poll and tell us your reasons.