There are so many misconceptions surrounding the recycling of plastic packaging. Many brands tend to promote the fact that their cups are recyclable, but currently, less than 1 percent of coffee cups are actually recycled. Why? Because it is extremely difficult to recycle cups that are lined with plastic.

Recycling Plastic Lined Coffee Cups

Unfortunately, cups that are lined with plastic cannot straightforwardly be recycled.

The polyethylene that lines a coffee cup is tightly bonded to the paper in order to make the cup waterproof and able to contain liquids. To recycle a plastic lined coffee cup, the lining needs to be separated from the cup.

It doesn’t end there…

By the time the cup reaches a recycling bin, it has most likely already been contaminated with a liquid.

Standard recycling plants cannot recycle anything that has come into contact with food or drinks; there are only a select few specialist facilities in the UK that can separate the lining from a cup that has come into contact with liquids.

One of the biggest issues surrounding disposable plastic lined coffee cups is their alleged recyclability. These cups are technically recyclable, but the vast majority of coffee cups do not end up being recycled. Most will end up in landfill, but consumers are often not aware of this.

The Solution

There is a solution! Cups do not have to be lined with plastic, they can also be lined with Ingeo™ PLA.

Ingeo™ is a biodegradable polyester derived from renewable plant material. The material itself is completely biodegradable, compostable and has a carbon footprint up to 75% less than traditional packaging materials such as PS or PET.

We can manufacture cups with a PLA lining, these cups are also fully biodegradable and commercially compostable. When commercially composted, the lining of this cup does not need to be removed. We can produce these cups in your desired styles, sizes and we can print them with your chosen artwork and logo.

Our Design Services

If you don’t currently have artwork for your cups, our talented creative team can produce designs just for you. We can tweak it as much or as little as you wish, and all artwork produced is completely unique. Read more about our design services here. Talk to us about branded EcoCups.

Get in touch with us today if you are looking to move away from plastic packaging. Like this blog? Read more about our environmentally friendly packaging range here.

News & Events

We’re exhibiting at the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo this September. If you’d like to view our products and have a chat with us, get your free tickets here and visit us on our stand.

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