Are Takeout Coffee Cups Recyclable?
Are Takeout Coffee Cups Recyclable?
Many people wonder, are takeout coffee cups recyclable? And the short answer is, generally, no. Here’s what you need to know:
Takeout coffee cups are usually paper lined with plastic. Because of the mixed materials, they aren’t recyclable in most systems. Even if you have a program that says they are acceptable, be aware that the paper that is in coffee cups is not a high-quality paper with nice long fibers that can be easily recycled (like cardboard). So the fibers and plastic particles mostly just end up in the recycling wastewater.
What if the cup is labeled “compostable?”
If you have access to a composting program, then it’s probably okay to throw these in, but check the composting rules on what items are acceptable. If you compost in your backyard, these may or may not break down because your backyard bin won’t reach the temperature needed by some of these materials. Read this article for more info on what “compostable” really means.
What about the lids?
Coffee cup lids are usually made from polystyrene (#6 plastic), which is rarely accepted in community recycling programs, but you can always double check with your community to be sure. Generally, these need to be thrown out.
Other plastic items that come with your coffee, like stirrers, straws or the plastic plug that keeps the coffee from spilling out the top, you should assume are not recyclable either.
How about the paper sleeves?
Those sleeves that you might use for protection against a hot cup ARE recyclable, as long as they are made of paper, which they usually are. If they don’t feel plastic-y, you should be fine to throw those in with other paper recycling.
Get a few reusable mugs!
Many coffee shops these days are happy to allow you to bring in your own (clean) mug to be filled with a to-go coffee order. Cut down on your personal contribution to waste by investing in a few good ones and make sure you always have a mug on hand if you think you might want to grab a cup on the go.
Not sure where you can go with your reusable mug? Yelp has recently added some new environmentally-friendly attributes you can use. I find the easiest way to find a coffee shop that accepts personal mugs is to go to Yelp and search “Eco-Friendly” and your zip code.
Once you have the results, click on the extra filters, it reads “All.”
In the categories, choose “Coffee & Tea.” Apply that filter, and then you will be shown a list of cafes that have eco-friendly amenities like, compostable packaging, reusable tableware and others. Look for the option “bring your own container allowed.” Any location with that on their listing should be fine with giving you coffee in your own mug.
