Can Coffee Cups Be Recycled?
Facts About Recycling Paper Cups
Paper coffee cups are everywhere—at coffee shops, offices, events, and even in our homes. If you’re wondering if paper coffee cups can be recycled, the answer is yes! Paper mills across North American can recycle them.
Even better? The paper industry is working hard to make sure recycling paper cups is easy and accessible.
Where Can You Recycle Paper Coffee Cups?
The great news is several cities accept paper coffee cups in their recycling programs.
The list of cities includes:
- Atlanta
- Chattanooga
- Denver
- Detroit
- Louisville
- Madison
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Washington, D.C.
The list of communities that accept paper cups for recycling continues to grow. Always check your local recycling rules to see if paper cups are accepted in your area.
How Do I Recycle Coffee Cups?
If paper cups are accepted where you live, follow these steps:
- Empty any liquids
- Remove plastic lids and straws
- Place the cup in your paper recycling bin
Leftover drops of liquid won’t harm the recycling process.
How Are Coffee Cups Recycled?
Paper mills are adding and advancing the technology and infrastructure needed to process paper cups. There are about 40 mills across North America that recycle paper cups.
Paper cups are made mostly from paper, with a thin plastic coating to help hold liquids. The coating is separated during the recycling process.
Then, the recycled paper is used to make new products like packaging, tissue and other paper goods.
Making Paper Cup Recycling Easier
AF&PA is a member of the Paper Cup Alliance (PCA). The PCA works to make paper cup recycling easier across the U.S. by:
Expanding Recycling Programs: Working with cities to include paper cups in their recycling programs.
Researching Paper Cup Recycling: Collaborating with industry experts and paper mills to better understand the best way to recycle cups.
Raising Awareness: Educating that paper cups can be recycled and paper mills want them.