A solution to the disposable cup catastrophe

By Ben Malandrinos

We're all told we should be recycling more, but does it really make a difference where we put our trash? Credit: Simply Cup Press Package

Currently the UK only recycles 1 in 400 disposable cups according to the 2017/2018 report by the Environmental Audit Committee, but one company called Simply Cups is trying to curb this statistic.

Most disposable cups are made from the easily recyclable material paper, but the interior of each cup is bonded with polyethylene to make it water-tight and more heat resistant. This lining is difficult to separate from the paper, making the cup non-recyclable at a standard recycling mill.

Specialist recycling plants need to process the disposable cups before they can be recycled. These specialist plants combined, would easily be able to process the number of cups disposed of in the UK, however the problem lies with the sorting, collection and transportation to these plants.

A new recycling scheme launched by Simply Cups in Marylebone and Chiltern Railway stations allows commuters to dispose of their cups in dedicated bins. The bins are split into three sections: cups, lids and liquids.

Maddie Hickman is the Scheme Manager for the initiative and explains how their system works: “Our preferred solution is to send the cups to Nextek and Ashortwalk plants. Nextek shred the cups and add mixed recycled plastics and a binding agent to form pellets which are then sent to Ashortwalk to manufacture new products.

The products can all be returned to Ashortwalk after use and recycled, continuing their circular journey within the techno-sphere of the economy.”

Not only does Simply Cups provide solutions to the difficulties of disposable cup recycling, but they are dedicated to using the recycled materials in a sustainable way.

The company currently only has collection points in Marylebone and Chiltern stations but with the proven success of their bins we are likely to see more in the near future.

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