Chick-fil-A customers notice their drinks come in paper cups, sparking Styrofoam debate

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Some Reddit users are calling out a beloved fast-food chain over a change in the cups for their beverages.

A user on the Chick-fil-A forum on Reddit posted a photo of a paper cup in front of a takeout bag.

“I’m fine with the fries change, but taking away the Styrofoam cup? This feels gross,” says the title of the post.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Chick-fil-A for comment.

The post garnered hundreds of reactions, with customers weighing in on the Styrofoam vs. paper cup debate.

Drink and sandwich containers are seen on a customer's table during the grand opening of a Chick-fil-A freestanding franchise restaurant in Midtown, New York October 3, 2015. REUTERS/Rashid Umar Abbasi - GF10000231056

Controversy brews as Chick-fil-A transitions from Styrofoam to paper cups in some locations, according to customers on Reddit. (Reuters/Rashid Umar Abbasi)

“CFA usually uses Styrofoam cups unless there is a local or state law that prohibits them from doing so,” wrote one user. 

“Styrofoam bans are getting increasingly more common.”

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Another user commented, “The paper cup sucks but nothing worse than the paper straws.”

Said a different Redditor, “I understand if it’s better for the environment. I just reeaaallly wish we could find a similar alternative, because Styrofoam really does keep that ice from melting nearly as fast.”

Chick-fil-A Restaurant

Reddit users express frustration as some Chick-fil-A locations abandon their signature Styrofoam cups. (iStock)

One user wrote, “I personally dislike the Styrofoam cups. Whenever I have them, I wonder if a loose small piece of Styrofoam is floating around in my drink.”

“If it bothers you so much, you can always keep a Yeti mug in your car and transfer your drink to that.”

“Honestly, this is one hill I really don’t care to die on. If it bothers you so much, you can always keep a Yeti mug in your car and transfer your drink to that,” advised one user.

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Another Redditor said the Styrofoam cups “suck” and wished Chick-fil-A would “switch nationwide.”

One person agreed, writing, “Styrofoam is a much better material for cups. It’s insulated so your hand doesn’t get cold and wet while holding it.”

Chick-Fil-A cup

Some Reddit users suggested the Styrofoam cups are better for keeping drinks colder for longer, while others said they’re bad for the environment. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages)

“I’m shocked that people would miss the Styrofoam cup,” one person wrote. 

“Do you like eating plastic[?]” the person added. 

One customer wrote, “They just made this change at my CFA in Virginia. I did a double take.”

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“Styrofoam isn’t biodegradable, so the cups from Chick-fil-A you got as a kid, well, they’re still sitting there! Not going anywhere, just piling up more and more,” commented a Redditor.

Styrofoam cups are made from polystyrene. Twelve states have banned polystyrene foam, which may be the reason for the switch to paper cups.

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Washington, D.C., Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Colorado, Virginia, Delaware, Oregon, Rhode Island, California and Washington all have bans on polystyrene foam.