Disposable Paper Cups: A Study on Potentially Toxic Elements, Radiological Impact, and Feasibility of Valuable Elements Recovery

This study characterizes single-use paper cups with respect to potentially toxic elements, radiological impact, and the potential of economic metals recovery from incineration residue. Thirty-six elements were identified in the analysis of paper cups, including naturally occurring radionuclides ⁴⁰K, Th, and U, as well as potentially toxic elements such as Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, and V using neutron activation analysis. The determined mass fractions varied significantly, with Mg, Al, and Ca present in notably high concentrations. A comparison with plastic cups revealed higher mass fractions of most elements in paper cups. The study also evaluated the potential for valuable element recovery from the incineration ash of paper cups. It demonstrated a promising potential for recovery of Cu-especially from blue and green cups-and Mg, as their mass fractions are above the ore cut-off grade. The amount of CO₂ emissions from the incineration of paper cups was estimated at 1.77 kg/kg. The activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, Th, and U were estimated in the incineration ash, with ⁴⁰K accounting for around half of the total detected activity. The median radioactivity was 35 Bq/kg. Although the radioactivity levels are low, they should be considered due to the large volume of paper cup waste. The radiological risk was assessed using various hazard indices, indicating minimal risk to human health. The dose rate and the annual dose are well below the recommended limits, and the excess lifetime cancer risk (<i>ELCR</i>) of 2.17 × 10^-5 is well below the typical safety limit.