Unocup has been optimized for mass-production using existing cup-making machinery which will yield significant cost and energy savings in manufacturing, storage, and transportation while not requiring new machinery or investment. The first prototype was developed in 2015 and it has been refined 800 times since then to create the perfect final version that is as strong as your coffee.
You can also fold flaps backward and drink from the rim just like a normal drinking glass. The drinking curved spout is specifically designed to fit your lips naturally as opposed to the otherwise flat plastic lids. This cup has a unique shape that fits into your palm, the uniform structure creates a strong and consistent body that will not cave under pressure, unlike traditional paper cups. To open, it is a simple press of a button that will gently open the flap instead of trying to carefully pop off the lid – praying for you if you attempt that with long nails. Just fold over each flap and insert the tab to close the “lid”. To solve this issue and keep coffee from spilling on your clothes, Unocup designed an ergonomic paper cup that folds into itself to create a spill-proof lid! Not-so-fun fact: New York City alone generates enough plastic lid waste to cover the entire earth THREE times. Most of us have abandoned plastic straws but the next big culprit of our to-go coffees are the plastic lids! About 8.25 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year and these take a million years to decompose causing significant damage to the oceans and marine life.