Plastic thermoforming machines are used for forming plastic cups, bowls, lids, trays, lunch box, food containers, biscuit trays, etc. from PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride).

In the US, most plastic is made from natural gas. The resin producers simply take what they want from the natural gas pipeline and put the rest back. PVC is a combination of ethylene and chlorine salt.

While crude oil is a source of raw material for making plastics, it is not the major raw material for plastics production in the United States. Plastics are produced from natural gas, other byproducts derived from natural gas processing, and byproducts derived from crude oil refining.

Cups can be made from PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) a corn byproduct but this science is in its infancy and does not produce a reliable and consistently high quality product.

Paper Cups (not plastic cups) can be made from recycled paper products.

Glass cup products (not plastic products) can be made from sand.

More Info: plastics.americanchemistry.com