Indian man with record collection of 800 paper cups says "commit to your passion"
An Indian man with a lifelong love for collecting has amassed the world’s largest collection of paper cups.
Made up of examples from around the world, Sunil Joseph has a whopping 858 cups in his collection as of December 2025, meaning it’s possible he has even more today.
The 57-year-old dad-of-two says he’s been collecting things since childhood and that by the fifth grade, he was completely enraptured by stamps, coins and matchbook stickers.
He said: “This early curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion, leading me to curate diverse collections ranging from razorblade wrappers and airline boarding passes to coffee mugs and tea bags.”
Social worker Sunil first broke a record with his belongings in 2013, when he amassed the largest collection of phonecards – 5,986 of them.
That record has since been broken by Eric Coutinho (Canada) with a total of 8,266, but now, Sunil is back in the record books thanks to his paper cups.
He said: “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 recognized milestone.
“The specific focus on phone cards, which led to my first major milestone, began in 1997. While looking through my brother’s wallet - he was working in the Merchant Navy at the time - I discovered a phone card from the UAE. The design and the concept intrigued me so much that I began seeking out cards from every corner of the globe. Over the next 15 years, my collection grew to over 12,000 cards representing 245 different countries.
“Although I had thousands of cards, I submitted 5,986 for the official count to secure the title. While that specific category has since evolved and the record was eventually surpassed, I remain confident in the depth of my archive. However, rather than retaking that title, I have shifted my focus toward new challenges.”
Turning his attentions to paper cups, Sunil has a vast collection that ranges in size from 5 ml to 500 ml cups that he’s gathered from 31 different countries.
He told us: “This growth is rarely a solitary effort. My friends and relatives across various countries frequently contribute items they find, helping the collection expand far beyond what I could gather alone.”
Sunil stores all of his paper cups at home, along with his other collections of things like razor blade wrappers, postcards, currencies, and coffee mugs.
He regularly organizes exhibitions at schools and colleges, with requests coming in to share his finds with younger generations.
Read about more record-breaking collections in our dedicated section.
Sunil is hoping his application for the largest collection of wedding invitations will be approved soon. It currently stands at 600, owned by Sofia Sakalaki (Greece).
And for those who think breaking a world record is out of reach, Sunil has a message.
He said: “I believe that determination and discipline can make any goal achievable. Today, I am grateful for the respect I have earned in my state through these efforts. My journey proves that if you remain committed to your passion, you can transform a simple hobby into a legacy of global recognition.”