# Microplastic release from disposable cups > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/microplastic-release-from-disposable-cups > Updated: 2026-09-13T16:47:23.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. Research from Australian universities has identified significant microplastic and nanoplastic release from disposable cups when used with hot liquids. A University of Queensland study found that both fossil-based polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) linings release particles. Notably, PLA-lined cups, often marketed as biodegradable, released a total particle mass approximately 12 times higher than PE-lined versions. Researchers detected roughly 4.3 million nanoparticles per milliliter in PLA-lined cups compared to 2.7 million in PE-lined cups. Further research from Griffith University, which reviewed 30 scientific studies and tested 400 cups, confirmed that the release of microplastics increases as liquid temperature rises. The study noted that particle quantities ranged from several hundred to over 8 million particles per liter. While plastic-only cups release more particles than cardboard cups with thin plastic linings, the scale of the issue is significant given that approximately 500 billion disposable cups are used annually. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Australian study links disposable cups to microplastic release An Australian study finds that disposable cups release millions of microplastics into hot drinks, with higher temperatures and certain plastic materials increasing the concentration of particles. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-study-links-disposable-cups-to-microplastic-release ### 2026-09-01: University of Queensland study finds paper cups release microplastics University of Queensland researchers found that single-use paper cups release millions of microplastics and nanoplastics when used with hot drinks, with biodegradable PLA linings releasing more mass than PE. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-of-queensland-study-finds-single-use-cups-release-microplastics --- Cite as: Microplastic release from disposable cups. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/microplastic-release-from-disposable-cups