Paper Cups Special Instructions Certified compostable paper cups can go in the compost cart. Look for labeling or a “certified compostable” logo on the side or bottom of the cup. Other paper cups are typically lined with plastic and should go in the landfill cart. Please do not put any paper cups in the recycling cart. Not Just Paper Paper cups can’t be recycled because they’re not just made of paper. They’re also lined with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking through the cup. Recycle Sleeves as Cardboard Cardboard sleeves are recyclable and should be disposed of with other cardboard products. Lids Are Plastic Coffee cup lids are made from plastic. Find out what to do with plastic lids. Straws Are Plastic Straws are generally made from plastic. Find out what to do with straws. Ways to Reduce Drink Coffee at the Shop Whenever possible, ask for a reusable mug or glass and enjoy your beverage at the coffee shop without creating waste. Save $0.10 Bringing Your Own at Starbucks If you bring your own travel mug or coffee cup to Starbucks you’ll get 10 cents off your cup of coffee. Rewards members also receive additional rewards for bringing a reusable cup. Ways to Reuse Reusable Packaging For Businesses Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether. Did You Know? Why Don’t Most Starbucks Recycle Cups? As of 2013, Starbucks offered recycling in 39% of its stores. You’d think it would be universal, but there’s no great recycling technology for coffee cups yet, so many commercial recyclers don’t accept them, leaving Starbucks with nowhere to send the cups. Read more about Starbucks’ efforts to recycle and reduce waste. Could Paper Cups Be Transformed into Biofuels? University of Manitoba researchers have been studying whether cups could conceivably be made into biofuels. So far, the results are pretty promising.
