TEXAS – A Texas-sized battle is brewing between Whataburger and activists over the fast-food chain’s signature orange and white cups.

  • Activists protesting Whataburger cups
  • Claim Styrofoam is killing wildlife
  • Whatabuger is looking for alternatives

More than 50,000 people have signed a petition asking Whataburger to stop using Styrofoam cups. Environmental activists delivered the petition to Whataburger's Corpus Christi headquarters on Monday.

Several national restaurant chains have shunned Styrofoam and certain plastics for the environmental dangers.

The goal of the group Environment Texas is to eradicate the use of Styrofoam cups as plastic pollution is killing wildlife.

Styrofoam is the trademarked brand of polystyrene. While recyclable, polystyrene is not biodegradable, according to researchers.

In a statement, Whataburger said it is continuing to look for cup alternatives that can keep beverages at the “right temperature.”

Whataburger statement:

"At Whataburger, we’re always looking for the best way to serve our customers and we value their feedback.  We continue to look at cup alternatives that keep drinks at the right temperature but we have a lot to consider from a quality and supply perspective when meeting our customers’ expectations. We will share any updates if we have news to share. In the meantime, we continue to urge customers to properly dispose of our cups.”