< Go Back

SOFi Products vs. Eco-Products Greenstripe Hot Cup

Eco-Products’ cups, while marketed as eco-friendly, are made with PLA bioplastic (a corn-based plastic), which requires industrial composting facilities to fully break down. This means they won’t decompose in your backyard compost or in regular landfills. Additionally, some PLA products can leave microplastics in the environment if not composted under the right conditions.

Unlike Eco-Products, SOFi Cups are made from 100% compostable paper, which breaks down naturally in any environment in less than 180 days. No plastics, no microplastics, and no special facilities required. With a built-in spill-proof lid, SOFi Cups are the true sustainable and convenient solution.

Warning: Environmental Impact of PLA

Many PLA-based products, including Eco-Products cups, can leave microplastic particles behind if not processed in industrial composting environments. These facilities are not widely available, leading to potential long-term environmental harm.

Eco-Products

Decomposes within 180 days in any environment
No special facilities are required
Soil Biodegradable
Marine Biodegradable
PLA-Free
Microplastic-Free
Plastic-Free
Compostable Certified
PFAS-Free
Recyclable

Decomposes within 180 days with special facilities
Special Facilities Required
Not Soil Biodegradable
Not Marine Biodegradable
Contains PLA
Contains Microplastics
Plastic-Free
Compostable Certified
Not PFAS-Free
Not Recyclable

Detailed Comparison

SOFi Products Hot Cups

Eco-Products Greenstripe Hot Cups

Decomposes within 180 days in any environment

Does not decompose within 180 days in any environment

PLA (polylactic acid) cups require industrial composting facilities to break down effectively within a specific time frame.

Under typical backyard composting or natural conditions, the process takes much longer or may not happen at all.

No special facilities are required

Special facilities required

May require access to specialized composting facilities, which are limited in some regions.

Soil Biodegradable

Not Soil Biodegradable

PLA cups do not biodegrade well in standard soil environments, as they need consistent heat and moisture, typically found in industrial composting settings.

Marine Biodegradable

Not Marine Biodegradable

Products containing plastic are not marine biodegradable, as they can persist in ocean environments for hundreds of years without breaking down.

Recyclable

Not Recyclable

Many recycling facilities do not accept PLA due to the need for separate processing streams, so in many areas, PLA products often end up in landfills.

PLA-Free

Contains PLA

PLA (polylactic acid) is a bioplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane.

While it’s technically compostable, it only breaks down efficiently in controlled industrial composting facilities. Outside these conditions, it behaves similarly to traditional plastics.

Microplastic-Free

Potentially contains Microplastics

Although PLA is marketed as a compostable material, during its slow degradation process, it can break down into smaller particles, potentially contributing to microplastic pollution if it doesn’t fully decompose, especially in environments where ideal composting conditions are absent.

Why SOFi Cups

Limitations of PLA Cups

PLA cups could be perceived as more sustainable than they may be. PLA cups only decompose under specific industrial conditions. Outside of those conditions, they can persist in the environment for long periods, contributing to pollution similar to traditional plastics.

Make the Switch to SOFi

Join the thousands of businesses already making the switch to SOFi cups. Reduce waste, save on costs, and help protect the planet with products that break down naturally and leave no trace.