Coffee Cup Recycling Scheme Arrives in Ireland
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - 13:19:27
A company which produces various packaging materials in Ireland is launching a campaign to collect and recycle used coffee cups at many locations around the country in order to improve the sustainability of the hot takeaway beverage industry.
The Irish Times reports that Zeus is scheduled to introduce collection points to various cafes and coffee shops starting next month, with each point able to store up to 700 cups so that they can be easily transported for recycling.
There is a cost associated with the use of these recycling boxes, equivalent to 7 cents (6 pence) per cup. This is to cover the expense involved in recycling the cups, which are typically made out of mixed materials and are thus far more challenging to process than standard cardboard packaging.
Because of this, cafes will need to pay the equivalent of around £45 to dispose of a full box of used cups. This is a cost that could be passed on to consumers but will be relatively small in the context of drinks like coffee, which can often be priced at £3 or more.
Critics have pointed out that the problem with installing recycling collection points for single-use coffee cups in the cafes themselves is that the people who buy this type of drink will usually end up leaving immediately after their purchase rather than sticking around long enough to finish their beverage and then deposit it.
In reality it may be better for councils to install bins specifically for single-use coffee cups alongside existing waste collection points. However, a far better solution is to avoid the need for this type of cup altogether and instead insist that people looking to enjoy a hot drink on the go bring their own reusable cup with them.
Latest News
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 10:32:41
Every industry around the world has been impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and recycling has been especially affected as a result of force [...]
Read More
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 21:33:36
Apple has pulled back the curtains on the all-new iPhone SE, bringing with it a raft of eco-friendly design features which aim to improve the green cr [...]
Read More
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 21:32:00
Researchers from New Zealand have demonstrated a new recycling solution which could help companies to reclaim rare materials from smartphones, PCs and [...]
Read More