As microplastics emerge as a severe threat to both the environment and human health, addressing the challenge of single-use plastics is more urgent than ever. Better For All’s innovative range of reusable and home-compostable cups, soon to be available at stadiums nationwide, is poised to make a significant impact.
The issue with plastics
For many, it’s nearly impossible to recall a day devoid of single-use plastic items. From shopping bags, bottled drinks, to takeout containers, disposable plastics permeate daily life, often showing up in unexpected places.
Since their mass production began in the 1940s, plastics have become integral to modern living due to their affordability and convenience. However, their resilience against natural degradation has led to a severe environmental and health predicament.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generates approximately 35.7 million tons of plastic waste annually. Since plastics are not biodegradable, they eventually degrade into microplastics, contaminating soil, air, and water sources.
Though microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, may appear innocuous, their impact is substantial. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report identified microplastic pollution as a major threat requiring immediate action.
Even the meager 9% of plastic that is recycled doesn’t sufficiently address the problem; the recycling process can generate microplastics. In the United States, it’s estimated that recycling contributes up to 400,000 tons of microplastics annually.
Critically, plastic debris makes up 60 to 80 percent of marine waste, and 90 percent of the debris found in our oceans. The United Nations Environment Programme reports that around 23 million tons of plastic waste leak into water systems each year.
Microplastics also infiltrate soil ecosystems, posing risks to crop health. Their ability to leach harmful substances is causing far-reaching damage to oceans, land, air, and our food sources.
The human impact
The threat posed by microplastics is not limited to the environment; they also significantly jeopardize human health. Studies indicate that an average American ingests over 70,000 microplastic particles annually through various means, including seafood, bottled beverages, and even airborne particles. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, breast milk, livers, and kidneys.
While research on the health impacts of microplastics is ongoing, early findings are concerning. A 2023 study revealed that microplastics can disrupt crucial biological processes and impair the endocrine and immune systems, potentially leading to mobility, reproductive, developmental issues, and cancer. Additionally, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights links between microplastics and incidences of heart attacks, strokes, and mortality.
In the realm of aging and longevity, alarming correlations have emerged. A 2025 report from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences noted a 50% increase in microplastics detected in human brains over the past eight years, with dementia patients exhibiting tenfold higher microplastic levels than the general populace.
Given the pervasive nature of plastic in our convenient modern lifestyle, what steps can we take to protect both our health and the environment?
Better for individuals, better for the collective
One innovative company addressing the plastic crisis is Better For All, based in Pasadena. They have created a reusable and biodegradable cup aimed at replacing the 120 billion single-use plastic cups used each year in the United States.
CEO Bob Meers expresses, “Addressing the challenge of one-time use products is a matter worth exploring.” He points out that the traditional method of making cups—thermal forming—results in 40 percent waste. “I’m not a proponent of waste,” he adds.
Better For All’s answer to single-use plastics is polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a reusable, non-toxic material capable of withstanding temperatures up to 212°F and is compostable at home. This biopolymer is produced through the fermentation of living microorganisms and offers a sustainable alternative.
Recognizing that PHA is primarily utilized in the medical field, Meers believes it represents an undervalued solution to a pressing issue. “Product design should incorporate end-of-life considerations from the outset,” he emphasizes.
“PHA can be manufactured in existing bio fermenters currently used for soy sauce production, leading to extensive research into its applications,” notes Head of Product Raegan Kelly. “It decomposes anaerobically, ensuring it will break down even in environments with low or no oxygen.”
A standout feature of Better For All’s reusable cups is the ability to compost them at home. Unlike many competitors, whose products require commercial composting facilities, Better For All’s cups can biodegrade in backyard compost systems without harming the soil. Should the cup inadvertently end up in a landfill, it will decompose safely without releasing toxic substances.
Crafted from plant materials and designed to return to the earth, Better For All is poised to revolutionize the standard single-use plastic cup. The next step? Bring it to major venues in your area.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
