Fact Check: Are Starbucks Paper Cups Recyclable? – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks’ cups, whether paper or plastic, have been a topic of debate on social media. Some claims that Starbucks paper cups are not recyclable, as seen in a video where a woman soaks a Starbucks paper cup in hot water overnight to reveal the plastic lining. However, Jeffrey Meyers of Rumpke Waste and Recycling in Ohio, a service provider, stated that the company accepts Starbucks and other paper cups for processing. Meyers explained that many cups now have a poly-lining, and the recycling process has advanced to the point where it doesn’t affect the material’s ability to be recycled.

To prepare cups, lids, and other items from Starbucks and fast food restaurants, follow these steps:

1. Put the lids on the cups when placing them in the bin.
2. Rinse the cups clean, but don’t rinse or wash them before putting them in the bins.
3. Avoid using Starbucks plastic cold cups and lids.
4. Place the cups in the recycling bin with the lids on, ensuring they are empty and clean.
5. After processing at Rumpke’s material recovery facility, the cups are sent to paper mills for reuse. Paper cups will be made into cardboard and paperboard products, plastic cups will be used to make new plastic containers, and aluminum cups will be made into aluminum cans.

Some Starbucks items should be kept out of the recycling bin, such as straws and stoppers. For an environmentally conscious trip to Starbucks, coffee lovers can bring their own cup to the shop.

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