Dunkin' Donuts announced earlier in February plans to eliminate all polystyrene foam cups in its global supply chain beginning in spring 2018, with hopes of completely phasing them out from its stores globally by 2020.

In United States restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts will replace the foam cup with a new, double-walled paper cup.

Foam cups are not environmentally friendly because of their slow decomposition. The cups end up in oceans and can harm marine life and other animals that swallow it.

According to Dunkin' Donuts, the new, double-walled paper cup is already in use at Dunkin’ Donuts' next generation concept store in the company’s birthplace of Quincy, Massachusetts. The eco-friendly cups will be introduced at all Dunkin’ Donuts in New York City and California in the spring of 2018 and will be phased in across the U.S. as supplier manufacturing capabilities ramp up.

“With more than 9,000 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the U.S. alone, our decision to eliminate foam cups is significant for both our brand and our industry. We have a responsibility to improve our packaging, making it better for the planet while still meeting the needs of our guests," said Karen Raskopf, chief communications and sustainability officer, Dunkin’ brands.

More sustainable, while still keeping your beverages hot and your hands cool. By mid-2020, all DD US restaurants will be serving hot coffee in our new double-walled paper cup. Learn more: https://t.co/etBFcTZfL5 pic.twitter.com/nqb2chJfBL
— Dunkin' (@dunkindonuts) February 7, 2018

The double-walled paper cup is made with paperboard certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and will feature the current re-closable lid. The cup will also have heat retention properties similar to the company’s foam cup, which will keep beverages hot. The double-wall design will keep hands cool without the extra need for a sleeve, according to Dunkin' Donuts.

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"Transitioning away from foam has been a critical goal for Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., and with the double-walled cup, we will be able to offer a replacement that meets the needs and expectations of both our customers and the communities we serve,” Raskopf said.

The company has also made strides toward other eco-friendly commitments in the U.S., which include having 80 percent of fiber-based consumer-facing packaging certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard by the end of this year; eliminate artificial dyes from its menu; build new, more energy-efficient restaurants; and partner with the Rainforest Alliance to source certified coffee.