Notts Green Party politician calls for action on ‘ridiculous’ non-recyclable coffee cups

Many takeaway coffee cups are made of card but also contain a plastic-based lining, which keeps them waterproof, but means they are rarely recyclable as many processes can’t separate the two materials.

A leading Nottinghamshire Green politician has called for action on Britain’s ‘ridiculous’ use of coffee cups which can rarely be recycled.

Richard Mallender, a Green Party Rushcliffe Borough Councillor and former Parliamentary candidate, has said companies should not be allowed to produce non-recyclable cups and more must be done to encourage recycling.

It is thought up to seven million coffee cups are thrown away every day in the UK with less than one per cent (one in 400) being recycled.

The figure has led to a seperate cup bin scheme being announced for some areas.

Many takeaway coffee cups are made of card but also contain a plastic-based lining, which keeps them waterproof, but means they are rarely recyclable as many processes can’t separate the two materials.

There is currently just one centre in the UK which has facilities to do this, meaning the majority of cups are sent to landfill.

A scheme to boost disposable coffee cup recycling has been launched in the City of London in the hope of saving up to five million cups a year.

The City of London Corporation will work alongside Network Rail, coffee chains and businesses to introduce coffee cup recycling facilities in offices, shops and streets in the area.

A similar programme was launched in Manchester, in October, by environmental charity Hubbub which aimed to recycle 20,000 coffee cups into 15,000 plastic flower pot holders using new technology.

Cllr Mallender said: “I think it is ridiculous that any product – whether it be water bottles, drinks cartons or coffee cups – is not widely recyclable, and companies should not be allowed to produce them.

“Many places now allow customers to use their own travel cups – but this is not always the case.

“Shops should encourage people to re-use cups by offering a discount to those who do – which would also help to limit the amount of oil that is used to produce more.”

He added Nottingham would benefit from a recycling scheme similar to those in Manchester and London.

He said: “Having separate bins for coffee cups is a great idea and all outlets should do it.

“It’s ridiculous that it has taken so long to do this – recycling schemes should be introduced across the whole country and not just in London.”

Hartleys Coffee & Sandwich Bar, on Carlton Street, sells coffee in takeaway cups but makes customers aware that they are not recyclable.

Owner Kevin Hartley said: “We are perfectly honest and tell customers that our cups are not recyclable.

“We have looked into using fully-recyclable cups – but it is double the cost.

“Originally we thought ours were because they are made from ribbed paper – which is why we chose to buy from this supplier – but then we found out they are not.

“The body itself is recyclable but around one per cent is not which means the rest is un-recyclable too.”

He added he supports the call for action and encourages his customers to re-use cups.

He said: “In the past we have trialled re-usable plastic cups and gave out around 20 – but we found that people forgot about them and left them at home or work.

“In one month only around two or three per cent remembered to use them.

“We would consider trialling something similar in the future as we are always open to suggestions from customers.

“We currently offer a 25p discount for customers who bring a re-usable cup and do have one or two regular customers who do this.”

Nottingham City Council converts all waste collected in street bins into energy using an incinerator.