THE WHAT, WHY & HOW TO OF ON-THE-GO INTRODUCTION Confused about cup recycling? Can you even recycle takeaway ?

It is estimated that a staggering 2.5 billion disposable cups are used in the UK each year. Where do they all go?

We’ve compiled this eBook to answer your questions, along with insights into the latest industry developments and the consumer initiatives available to help you take action right now.

So, whether you’re a socially conscious coffee lover or a business that’s trying to introduce a cup recycling programme we hope you’ll find something recyclable to take away from us today.

Who are we? We’re Glasdon. An established UK manufacturer with our design eye set firmly on helping improve the environment.

CONTENTS Use the links below to skip forward.

Part 1 : Answers to the BIG Questions • What are Disposable Cups Made from? • Can you Recycle Takeaway Cups? • Overcoming the Challenges

Part 2 : Recycling Cups On-the-Go • Choose Your Vessel • Cup Recycling in Action • The Cup Recycling Takeaways (Infographic)

Part 3 : Practical Guide to Recycling Cups in the Workplace • Cup Recycling Facts (Infographic) • Step by Step Guide Answers to the BIG questions ? What are disposable takeaway cups made from?

There are three main types of – , and foam.

The confusing part for us as n  The Traditional n  Types of consumers is that we hear paper Foam Cup and plastic used interchangeably As? well as a takeaway solution, when referring to takeaway cups Made from petroleum, cold drinks tend to be served – we’ll explore why next. foam cups are in plastic cups at large public used for hot and cold drinks. events and outdoor venues. And if you’re in the catering Polystyrene makes the cup business, own a coffee shop or sturdy and lightweight while These cups are generally manage facilities… you’ve got providing a high level of manufactured with polystyrene a lot to choose from! insulation. plastic, recyclable PET ( terephthalate) However, if you’re looking for plastic or recyclable PP an environmentally friendly cup (). Compostable solution then you should avoid cold cups made with PLA using these cups altogether. (polylactic acid) corn plastic are Very few recycling plants have also available. the technology to process single-use polystyrene foam cups (including used polystyrene foam food ) and it is estimated that it takes hundreds of years to decompose in landfill and then it only breaks down into smaller particles. n  Types of Sustainable Paper Cups: Paper cups, also referred to Compostable and biodegradable as ‘paper hot cups’ are more cups. The whole cup is commonly used for takeaway produced with natural renewable coffee and hot drinks today. resources. Although they can be used to serve cold drinks too. Wax – Paper Cold Cups: Air Pocket Insulated Cups: For cold takeaway drinks, the Air is trapped for improved wax coated paper cup offers insulation between an inner and extra rigidity and protection from an outer ridged layer. leaks.

Poly-coated Paper Cups: Features a polymer for additional insulation, while protecting the outside of the cup The Bottom Liner… from weakening. Whether you are using a paper cup for a hot or a cold drink, all Post-consumer Paper Cups: paper cups feature a lining inside them to prevent liquid from leaking through the paper layers, while helping the cup retain its Made using a high percentage rigid form. of recycled paper and therefore using less virgin material. This is where a polymer (plastic) or a wax lining may be used. Common linings include PE (polyethylene) plastic, PLA (polylactic acid) and paraffin wax.

It’s the cup lining and how they are bonded to the inside of the cup which really makes the difference when it comes to the ease with which takeaway cups can be recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. So, can you recycle takeaway cups?

Yes – the paper hot cups with a PE lining, There has been challenges along the way, but the good news is which are widely used by coffee chains, can be that more recycled. operators, manufacturers, retailers and specialist recycling plants in the UK are now working together, investing in the disposal, collection and reprocessing infrastructure YES needed to offer this facility. Overcoming the Challenges

Due to PE lined paper However, following substantial investment from retailers in cups needing to be the form of subsidies to the recycled through UK’s main waste collection a specialist plant companies, the plants with the process (to separate capability to recycle the cups – DS Smith, James Cropper and the paper from the ACE UK, have recently stated lining), the limited that with an improved cup facilities available collection infrastructure, they alone could sustainably manage and lack of collection the recycling of all of the UK’s infrastructure has disposable paper cups. meant that in recent years the recycling market’s own demand for disposable cups has been low. Recycle-friendly Disposal

Although made with paper, Therefore, the most efficient So where can we dispose of disposable cups cannot be method of disposal, to give us our cups using this or a similar disposed of in a general paper the best chance of improving method? recycling bin at home, work or the recycling rates of the cups, The disposal and collection anywhere else. is to empty out any cup waste infrastructure for recyclable and (including liquid, apple cores, compostable cups is evolving crisp packets) and then collect This is due to: right now to mirror our on-the-go the cups in a separate consumption… 1 the PE plastic lining inside the away from other waste streams. cup  Buy coffee  take on train  2 the waste liquid and residue in This is also the with used dispose the cup which contaminates 100% compostable paper cups. the other paper  Buy coffee  take to work  dispose 3 the fact that once the cups are co-mingled with other  Buy coffee  take back with recyclable and non-recyclable me to dispose of when I buy waste streams, they are coffee  receive incentive difficult for processors to isolate and are often too damaged to recover

Go to Part 2 for more about Recycling Cups On-the-Go. Recycling Cups On-the-Go Our love for the bean However, the report also The EAC has called on the highlighted the need for urgent Government to introduce a was highlighted in a action. Based on the current specific target that would see recent report by the annual usage estimates sitting all single-use cups that are Environmental Audit at around 2.5 billion disposable disposed of in recycling bins, Committee (EAC). cups, the increase in coffee recycled by 2023. shops would equate to an additional 1 billion disposable It detailed how the number cups used per year! of coffee shops in the UK is projected to increase from Due to how we consume drinks 20,000 to 30,000 by 2025. in disposable cups on-the-go, it is estimated that only 1 in every 400 are actually being recycled.

So, what can we as consumers do to help the situation?

And how are coffee chains and businesses supporting the drive for on-the-go recycling?

There are actions you can take today… Choose Your Vessel

The choices we all Takeaway Drinks Consumers make are undoubtedly Vendors If you’re not sitting in with your critical to reducing The sourcing of recyclable or drink, look out for takeaway compostable takeaway cups is the sheer volume of vendors who are working hard a top priority for many vendors disposable cups we to consider the environment. and retailers now. send to landfill. Polystyrene plastic and foam Ask questions about the cup you cups are being replaced with According to YouGov are about to receive. Can it be recyclable PP and PET or re-used, recycled or composted? Plc 84% of hot drink compostable PLA plastic cups What do they need you to do to buyers are still using for cold drinks. help? disposable paper cups. While for hot drinks, the favoured replacements are #MySocialSpirit paper hot cups with a PE lining which can be recycled or with a PLA lining which can be commercially composted.

Retailers are improving their green credentials further by offering reusable cups.

Then what? Refer to Part 3 for our Practical Guide to Cup Recycling. Cup Recycling in Action

The latest industry Manufacturers developments and the consumer Re-design of disposable cups Increase use of 100% initiatives available to improve ease of recycling recyclable or compostable materials to you right now. Packaging companies such as Frugalpak are leading the charge in Alternatively, food service the manufacture of recyclable paper packaging manufacturers Vegware cups, specifically designing cups are producing cups made entirely made from recycled cardboard and from plant-based materials which featuring an easy to separate liner. can biodegrade in under 12 weeks in commercial composting facilities. It is suggested that with separate cup disposal and Cup Recycling Bins and Cup collection methods available, Collection Containers these cups could also be recycled in general paper Working in partnership with mills as well as the existing supply chain and waste collection specialist recycling plants. companies, UK bin manufacturers such as Glasdon now offer purposely designed cup bins with individual compartments for liquid waste, plastic and collection tubes to collect the disposable cups separately. Supply Chain and Consumer Initiatives

Sourcing Cup Stocks Even with an evolving infrastructure, Reusable Rewards Schemes Many coffee chains and smaller in-store return and recycle schemes are The big coffee chains including Costa, independents are sourcing their a simple solution with the miniscule , Pret and Café Nero also offer cups more responsibly, which in turn inconvenience of holding on to your cup discounts and other reward cards with reduces the volume of virgin resources for a little longer. stamps when you use a reusable cup. required to produce the cups. Starbucks Latte Levy Workplace Drives and McDonald’s are investing in the In the same way the charge for development of a sustainable cup made More and more organisations are plastic carrier was introduced to from materials that are recyclable, introducing cup recycling bins and make us stop, think and re-use – the compostable or both. While Starbucks collection stations in the workplace, proposed extra charge for paper cups currently only offer single-walled cups which makes total sense when you is considered to be the catalyst that with a 100% recycled and recyclable think about how many of us pick up a will also nudge on-the-go consumer cup sleeve. coffee on the way to work. behaviour. In-store Return and Cup Recycling Schemes Coffee chain Costa have launched a cup Does your workplace offer recycling scheme throughout all of their stores with the target of recycling 500 this facility now? We look million disposable cups a year by 2020. at workplace cup recycling And the best bit is that you can take a initiatives and how to disposable paper cup of any size introduce one in Part 3. and any brand back into their stores and they will take care of the rest.

Collection Reprocessing Services Plants Improvements to the Binfrastructure Fibre Recovery and Polymerisation There are now 12 waste management During the process of fibre recovery, companies signed up to the official cup the paper and the polymer lining are recycling scheme. This scheme is helping separated, the cups are pulped and the floating waste management companies offer cup recycling polyethylene is skimmed off and separated from the collection services to local authorities and businesses. denser paper fibre. Find out who they are in Part 3. Through the process of polymerisation, new polymers derived from used paper cups are also being developed which can then be used in the manufacture of other products. The Cup Recycling

Takeaways There is action we can all take right now.

Top Tips to Boost On-the-Go Cup Recycling by Glasdon

Tip 1: Choose to Refuse Avoid polystyrene foam cups which can’t be easily recycled and take hundreds of years to breakdown. Tip 2: Ask More Tip 3: Questions Switch to If ‘recycle your cups here’ signs aren’t loud and clear, ask more ? a Reusable questions about the cup you are about to receive Alternative

Tip 4: Hold on to Your Cup! Or place it in your … until you pass one of the coffee chains who already offer in-store recycling schemes

Tip 5: Start a Workplace Scheme Wherever you work, capture cups at the end of their on-the-go journey

Turn to Part 3 for a practical guide to Turn to Part 3 for a practical guide to introducing cup introducing cup recycling programmes. recycling programmes. Practical Guide to Recycling Cups in the Workplace Even when your main business activity isn’t selling coffee, you can guarantee that disposable cups have been making their way into your offices and business premises!

In fact, recent YouGov As individuals we’re Plc figures revealed more switched on now to that 52% of consumers what we need to do, but dispose of their coffee what new processes and cup at work and that recycling programmes can 88% of the nation would we adopt in the workplace use a purpose-built cup to support businesses in recycling bin if one was their ‘zero waste to landfill’ available to them.* missions?

Introducing cup recycling into the workplace has many benefits including cost savings on your landfill waste disposal.

Cup Recycling Facts by Glasdon

By 2025 In 2018 3.5 billion 1 in 400 disposable cups will RECYCLED be used every year in the UK PE Lined Paper Cups CAN BE RECYCLED 88% of the nation would use a purpose-built cup 9 9 9 recycling bin 5 5 5 Costa coffee stores have opened up their Cup Bins to 52% of consumers dispose of ANY BRAND their at work

Paper Cups Should Recycling Cups can SAVE NOT Be Disposed of in your organisation £s a Bin ££ £ £ £ £ £ £ 12 UK Waste Management Companies now on board with Cup Recycling Scheme and it’s growing!

Sources YouGov Plc, on behalf of Veolia UK and Ireland (June 2017) www.recycle-more.co.uk Step 1: Step 2: Request your existing WMC explore the service with The Waste Audit Identifying a Cup the Cup Recycling Scheme If you’re in a facilities Collection Service administrators - Valpak management, operations or a The next step is to talk to your Explore the opportunity with general management role you existing waste contractor or an official Cup Recycling will be more than familiar with investigate whether any of Scheme WMC for this the waste management audit. the 12 waste management individual service – see Establishing the need for companies (WMCs) offer current list below. action and the type of action collection services for cup required is the first step towards recycling or commercial implementing an efficient waste composting in your area. management programme. This is a developing If you work in facilities where infrastructure and so even if single-use cups are used or you’re existing waste contractor where colleagues bring them does not offer a cup collection into the workplace, you may service right now you still have have already identified the options. potential for a cup recycling programme. A waste audit focused on Cup Recycling Scheme - WMC’s quantifying the volume of Veolia all UK except Highlands disposable cups passing through the organisation will Grundon London and Home Counties help to identify the type of Simply Cups England solution required by indicating; Collection (London) / Post Back First Mile • the capacity of the collection Scheme (UK) container and number of All RG postcodes, excluding RG28, containers needed, Select Environmental Services All SL postcodes, excluding SL0, SL7, • where the cup collection SL8 and SL9, Guildford, Oxford points should be positioned Paper Round BPR Group London and Brighton for optimum usage; Service all of London and will service Bywaters • and the collection service nationally on a case by case basis requirements. Suez UK See website for details Don’t forget – if the majority of Biffa Central London, Manchester single-use cups on your site are generated through in-house London, Worcester, Leicester, Derby, takeaway facilities, you will South Coast, Exeter, Bristol, Brighton, Helistrat North East, Bolton, Manchester, need to also review the type of Scotland, Scottish Boarders & West cups being used. Is there room Scotland for improvement to switch to a recyclable or biodegradable/ Printed Cup Company England compostable alternative? Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Go to Part 1 for info. Cawleys Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire Source: recycle-more.co.uk. August 2018 Need advice or assistance with your waste audit? Your chosen WMC will advise on how they will collect the cups from you. Some companies will provide biodegradable sacks or Free no obligation help is available here. for you to transfer the cups into ensuring that when they are emptied out of the cup bin they remain stored away from other waste streams to avoid any cross contamination. Step 3: Step 4: Maximise Don’t just limit your Finding the Right Usage communications to inside the organisation. Shout about your Solution Positioning efforts through press releases Cup Recycling Bin, Collection The audit will also help you to local media, blog posts on Stacker or Recycling Station? identify where your cup your organisation’s website and through your social media The most effective way to recycling containers should be profiles. recycle used disposable paper located, internally and externally, cups is to ensure they are for maximum visibility and emptied and disposed of into a accessibility to maximise their separate container away from on-the-go usage. Step 5: Emptying and other waste. Car parks, entrance halls, Sorting reception areas, main corridors Industry leaders - Veolia, The frequency in which and communal kitchen facilities recommend solutions which can emptying is required will depend are all popular locations for incorporate a ‘tip, flip and stack’ on the volume of cups you frequent disposal. method of disposal, whereby expect to collect. It may take a any remaining liquid or other Communication is Key short period of time to assess contaminant can be tipped away and adjust routines to the best or removed into a separate Think about how you will ensure employees, customers and times of emptying for your container, the cup can be flipped organisation. over and stacked neatly upside visitors know about your cup down to aid further drying. recycling programme and how to dispose of their cup in the Look for solutions that are correct bins. specifically designed for the appropriate application or Launch your programme location: through internal communication channels such as email, intranet, n Compact solutions such as information boards, payslips, ® the Eco Nexus Cup Recycling newsletters and posters. Station for front of house or areas of high footfall and Use your launch communal areas communications as a way of sharing knowledge about the n Wall mounted collection tubes importance of recycling paper such as the Centrum™ Cup cups and also how it helps Stacker for back of house or the organisation achieve its kitchen collection environmental goals. Will you require: Indicate where your cup bins are n Dedicated cup recycling bins stationed and explain how the and stations to take a higher key to improving the recycling volume of cups? rates of cups is in the way they n Or a space-saving multi- are disposed of separately to purpose recycling solution that other waste. will take cups, but also features Clear signage around the bins compartments for other types of will also help boost internal waste? awareness of your programme. The initial waste audit should With disposable cup bins and also be of assistance in recycling stations by Glasdon identifying the capacity of you also have the option to add container and the floorspace standard signage and graphics available. or to design your own through And if you are not sure or our Personalisation Service. can’t find what you need, we can tailor solutions to your requirements. Talk to us today. x6 of each 119mm x 309mm Originator Kathy McGowan Step 6: Explore other Opportunities Company GUK recycle your cups here Partnerships Division PUB If you’re a small business or the volume of Date Required 26/06/2018 lids empty liquids insert cups mixed takeaway cups being disposed of in your this way recycling

lids Account # OPEN-1008 C047/3060 organisation is low C047/0080and a workplace scheme isn’t deemed viable, you can still take action to divert Account Name The Open University the cups away from landfill. Order # 687208.1 lids mixed recycling mixed Why not join forces with other businesses Personalisation # 131062.1 nearby and create a collaborative cup recycling programme sharing collection points, emptying Sticker Quantity 6 schedules and contractor costs. If the cups x6that 531mm end up x in420mm your offices, can be pinpointed back to one or two of the team’s DESIGNER : RJ favourite coffee shopsrecycle your cups – heretalk to them about how together you can improve the recycling of the PRODUCT : Eco Nexus Cup Bank cups. They may already be providing it!

C047/3065 lids empty liquids insert cups mixed this way recycling JOB TYPE :  Printed Self- vinyl. Looking to introduce a workplace cup recycling scheme?

lids We can help.

Talk to us today Artwork required in Adobe Illustrator CS5 EPS or AI, 01253 600410 with all lettering converted to outline. OR a PDF made from Vector Art

Glasdon U.K. Limited Preston New Road BLACKPOOL Personalisation Visual Approved Please sign and return (indicate any changes required) Lancashire FY4 4UL Tel: (01253) 600410 Fax: (01253) 792558 e-mail: [email protected] web: www.glasdon.com Signature ...... Date...... © Glasdon 2018 CONCLUSION

The cup recycling This eBook was brought to you by infrastructure is growing. Glasdon. What changes will you or We are a UK manufacturer with your organisation make over 50 years’ experience designing products that help to improve all of our today that will benefit environments. tomorrow? As manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, waste contractors and re-processors we all have www.glasdon.com a part to play in stopping disposable cups from needlessly being sent to landfill. The means to do this are here, so let’s get started. #MySocialSpirit SOURCES https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/throwaway-coffee-cups-what-should-we-do https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/plastics-by-the-numbers/ http://www.biopac.co.uk/products/hot-drink-cups/hot-cup-lids/compostable-hot-cups- lids.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43739043 https://www.veolia.co.uk/solutions/coffee-cup-recycling https://www.recycle-more.co.uk/how-is-it-recycled-/coffee-cup-recycling https://eco-ware.ca/the-truth-about-conventional-paper-coffee-cups/ https://www.britannica.com/science/paraffin-wax http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/materials/composting.html http://www.biopapercups.co.uk/ https://www.britannica.com/science/polyethylene http://www.simplycups.co.uk/collections-coverage/paper-cups/ http://millikenchemical.com/why-polypropylene/ http://www.save-a-cup.co.uk/plastic_cups.php https://eu.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/columnists/bryant/2017/04/28/ polystyrene-foam-containers-recycling-styrofoam/100976548/ https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/610/types-of-disposable-cups.html https://resource.co/article/costa-recycle-half-million-coffee-cups-2020-12551 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/26/costa-coffee-launches-in-store- cup-recycling-scheme https://www.statista.com/statistics/283302/number-of-costa-coffee-stores-in-the-united- kingdom-uk/ https://www.recycle-more.co.uk/why-recycle-/recycling-takeaway-cups- https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/17/mcdonalds-and-starbucks-team-up-to-develop-a- more-sustainable-cup.html YouGov Plc, on behalf of Veolia UK and Ireland (June 2017) Allegra Strategies – Project Café 2016 Paper Cup Recovery & Recycling Group

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