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Coffee Cups

Can I recycle it?

Usually no. Most takeaway coffee cups cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling. Some cafés and specialist collection programmes accept them.

Why? Coffee cups are typically lined with a thin layer of plastic that makes them difficult to recycle in standard paper recycling systems.

How should I dispose of it?

  • Check whether the café offers a cup take-back scheme.
  • Use a specialist coffee cup recycling programme if available.
  • Otherwise place it in your rubbish bin.

What happens next? Specialist facilities separate the paper fibre from the plastic lining for recycling.

Top Tip - Bringing a reusable cup is the easiest way to reduce waste.