The official start of summer is almost here, and with it comes the age-old question for ice cream lovers: cup or cone? The superior answer for the planet might just be the tastier one. 

What is the environmental impact of a cup of ice cream?

Plastic is baked into our society, making it difficult to avoid. Plastic food and drinks packaging—from wrappers to disposable cups—are by far the most common forms of litter found on shorelines around the world, according to a new study published in the journal One Earth. Worldwide, we produce more than 300 million tons of plastic every year, an estimated half of which is single-use. 

While a paper cup might seem harmless, it’s more damaging than you might think. 

“Paper cups are often coated with plastic film or coating that gives it waterproof qualities,” says Erica Cirino, communications manager for the Plastic Pollution Coalition and author of Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis.

That coating doesn’t decompose. “While the paper itself might degrade in a matter of maybe months or years, the plastic film will only break up into smaller pieces called micro plastics,” says Cirino. 

What are other ways to avoid single-use products this summer?

There are other swaps you can make to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in your life this summer. 

“Single-use anything has a greater environmental impact than something that is reusable, because it inherently creates waste,” says Cirino. 

When stepping out on a hot day, carry a reusable water bottle to avoid buying plastic bottles on the go. Bring a reusable thermos to your local coffee shop, which will keep your iced coffee cooler for longer while using less plastic, and pack your own utensils to avoid the plastic cutlery that comes with takeout. 

How can you reduce the climate impact of your ice cream cone this summer?

For a more sustainable treat, support a local ice cream shop to cut down on potentially excessive transportation and refrigeration costs—local shops are more likely to get their dairy from nearby farms, cutting down on emissions. You can also try out a dairy-free flavor—cow’s milk results in up to three times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions as plant-based options and around two to 20 times as much freshwater. 

And next time you go out for ice cream, ask for a cone. As Cirino reminds us: “It's a good excuse to indulge a little bit.”