Can compostable coffee cups be recycled?

6 days ago
3 min read

Short answer: usually no – and here’s why

Compostable coffee cups are often seen as a more sustainable single-use option – but in practice, they are frequently misunderstood and incorrectly disposed of.

Let’s break down the end-of-life options for compostable coffee cups from recycling to composting.

Image: Commercially compostable coffee cup.

What makes compostable coffee cups different to regular paper cups?

For the most part, compostable coffee cups look identical to regular paper cups, but there is one key difference – the lining.

Most paper cups include a thin plastic lining, which allows them to hold hot or cold liquids without leaking through the paper. Compostable coffee cups also contain a waterproof lining, but instead of plastic, it is made from plant-based materials such as cornstarch or sugarcane.

The lining on both types of cups exists for the same reason, but it also changes how the cup needs to be processed at the end of life.

Can compostable coffee cups be recycled?

No – compostable coffee cups can’t be recycled in household, office, or public recycling bins.

Even though they don’t contain a plastic lining, the plant-based lining still contaminates regular paper recycling streams. Other determinators include the weight, shape, and size of the cups – just like regular paper cups.

However, compostable coffee cups can be recycled with paper cup recycling program, Simply Cups, which are specifically designed to process lined paper cups. Simply Cups accept both home and commercially compostable cups. You can find your closest Simply Cups drop-off location here.

Image: Cup recycled with Simply Cups.

Can compostable cups be composted?

Yes,– but only in the right conditions. There are two different types of compostable coffee cups:

Home-compostable coffee cups: Home-compostable cups are designed to break down when composted in a home compost system, such as a worm farm, garden bed or traditional compost bin.

Commercially compostable coffee cups: Commercially compostable cups require a dedicated commercial composting facility to break down properly.

If they are disposed of in general waste or recycling bins, they will not be composted.

Can compostable coffee cups be composted in FOGO (green) bins?

In most cases, no.

Few councils in Australia collect certified compostable products in their FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins, and policies vary by state and council.

In NSW, the EPA has stopped councils from collecting compostable packaging in FOGO bins due to the processing difficulties they were experiencing at composting facilities.

You can check if your council accepts compostable packaging as part of their FOGO bin program here.

What is the best solution when you have a compostable coffee cup?

While compostable coffee cups were designed to combat the paper cup problem, they are not the most practical solution as you need to compost them at a dedicated commercial composting facility (CCF).

In reality, most compostable cups do not end up in the correct composting environment.

The most reliable end-of-life solution is to return your coffee cup to a dedicated cup recycling program like Simply Cups , which accepts both home and commercially compostable cups and ensures they are properly recovered and reprocessed.

Avoiding single-use paper cups

The most effective way to reduce coffee cup waste is to avoid single-use cups where possible.

There are simple ways you can make small habits to make a big impact when it comes to avoiding single-use paper cups.

Enjoy your coffee experience when you dine-in at a local café and sip on your coffee in a ceramic mug.
When you are on the go, pack a reusable cup with you and keep it in your bag, car, or at work. This means you can still enjoy your drink when you are out and about but also avoid the single-use cup.

Of course, single use cups are sometimes unavoidable. When that happens, recycling your cups through Simply Cups helps ensure it is given a second life – rather than ending up in landfill.