A social worker from India has entered the record books with the world’s largest collection of paper cups, amassing 858 examples from 31 countries as of December 2025.
Sunil Joseph, 57, from Kerala, began collecting after a childhood fascination with stamps, coins and matchbook stickers.
That early interest grew into an archive spanning razorblade wrappers, airline boarding passes, coffee mugs and tea bags.
"Establishing a world record is a journey defined by unwavering dedication and a clear vision. It is an achievement that demands persistence, often turning a personal passion into a globally recognised milestone," he said.
The dad-of-two is no stranger to record-breaking as in 2013 he secured the Guinness World Records title for the largest phonecard collection with 5,986 cards.
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That record has since been surpassed by Canada’s Eric Coutinho, who now holds 8,266 cards.
Sunil’s phonecard obsession began in 1997 after finding a United Arab Emirates (UAE) phone card in his brother’s wallet.
Over 15 years he gathered more than 12,000 cards from 245 countries, submitting 5,986 for the official count.
Rather than reclaim that title, reports said, he shifted focus to paper cups.
His current collection ranges from tiny 5ml espresso cups to 500ml takeaway cups, each sourced from a different cafe, event or country.
According to him, the variety depicts global design and culture as much as his own collecting drive.
"I remain confident in the depth of my archive. However, rather than retaking that title, I have shifted my focus toward new challenges," he said.
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