Why are coffee cups not recyclable?
As the title suggests, it seems puzzling. The cup itself is made of paper, while the lid is plastic—so what’s the issue?
Why can’t you recycle coffee cups?
March 25, 2025
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Recycling coffee cups can be tricky mainly due to the materials used and the way they are constructed. Although the outer layer of a typical disposable coffee cup is made of paper, it is often lined with plastic—usually polyethylene—to make it waterproof. This lining makes the cups less recyclable because standard paper recycling processes cannot separate the plastic from the paper effectively.
Additionally, many recycling facilities don’t accept these cups because of the contamination that can occur when they are used. For instance, leftover coffee or oils can break down the recycling process.
Some facilities are starting to develop methods to recycle these cups, and there are also companies working on producing fully compostable cups. However, until these solutions become more widespread, it’s best to use reusable cups whenever possible to reduce waste.