What happens to the millions of coffee cups? Are Starbucks cups recyclable? . It’s no wonder Starbucks coffee is a daily part of life.
Millions of people around the world depend on Starbucks for their daily caffeine. The global coffee chain serves up delicious hot and iced coffees in a variety of delicious flavors.
You can even get toppings like whipped cream and caramel drizzle in your coffee.
Starbucks’ booming business ensures the company’s bottom line, but what about their impact on the environment.
Are Starbucks Cups Recyclable?
The coffee giant is taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment. They are using sustainable practices during bean harvest and investing in fair trade practices.
It is good news for the environment and employees harvesting the coffee beans. Unfortunately, these same practices do not apply to Starbucks cups.
Whether you get a Chai tea or Cappuccino, you are stuck with the cup. Starbucks cups are not recyclable. The cups contain a polyethylene coating.
The plastic coating keeps liquids from leaking out of the cup, but it also prevents you from tossing it in the recycling bin.
Are Starbucks Cups Compostable or Recyclable?
Starbucks cups feel like paper. You can easily crush them, and the cups will slowly start breaking down in water. These characteristics are common in recyclable products, so does it apply to Starbucks cups?
The plastic coating that keeps your hot and cold beverages inside the cup, also means you can’t toss them in a compost pile or recycling bin.
You can take your Starbucks cups to a specialty recycling plant. Some are capable of separating the plastic coating from the paper cup.
The good news is Starbucks is working with other food and beverage corporations to develop a cup that is both compostable and recyclable.
Can You Recycle Starbucks Hot Cups?
It doesn't matter the temperature outside, sometimes you need a hot beverage to face the day. Sometimes, you don’t even need the caffeine, only a warm sip of coffee or tea.
Walking by a recycling bin it’s tempting to toss the cup in. Unfortunately, the recycling facility won’t accept the cup due to the plastic coating. The majority of recyclers only accept number one and two plastics.
The plastic polyethylene coating does not fall into these categories.
You can save the Starbucks cups until your city hosts a recycling event.
You can also search online for a nearby recycling center that accepts plastics rated over type two.
Are Starbucks Iced Coffee Cups Recyclable?
There’s nothing better than an iced Starbucks coffee on a hot day. It’s a refreshing and delicious pickup.
The coffee chain also uses different cups for its cold beverages, and they are recyclable.
The clear plastic cups are similar to the sippy cups geared for small children. Instead of using a straw, you sip the icy beverage from the lid. It’s good news for the environment. Most straws are not easy to recycle.
Starbucks’ iced coffee cups can go in the recycling bin with your other type one and two plastics. It also includes the lid.
You can enjoy your cold beverage and feel good about not adding plastics to the local landfill.
What Starbucks Packing is Recyclable?
Starbucks is taking steps to reduce its global carbon footprint. Currently, only iced coffee cups are recyclable, but it is changing.
The corporation is testing new hot coffee cups. The main difference from the current cups is the lack of a polyethylene coating. Liquid still stays inside the cup, but they are now recyclable and biodegradable.
Starbucks is also partnering with recycling facilities to help improve processes.
Conclusion
You can’t imagine giving up your daily cup of Starbucks coffee, and you don’t have to. You can enjoy your beverage and have a positive impact on the environment.
Starbucks iced coffee cups are recyclable, and the company is working on creating biodegradable ones for hot drinks.
If you want to reduce the number of plastics going into the landfill and keep drinking Starbucks coffee, consider getting a reusable cup. Starbucks even gives customers with refillable cups a discount on some drinks.
With a reusable cup, you can save money, reduce waste, and enjoy your daily coffee without guilt.
