Single-use Coffee Cups
An estimated 1.84 billion single-use cups are used by Australians every year!
The Problem
Coffee and other hot beverage cups are estimated to be the second largest contributor to litter after plastic bottles. Clean Up volunteers report that over 10% of rubbish they identify as paper is coffee cups and are often shocked to find out that they are in fact plastic lined - which means they are potentially even more damaging then previously thought as they are not readily recyclable and they are not biodegradable.
Single use coffee cups are currently accepted for recycling in only a handful of council collections. Thanks to the thin plastic lining that makes them waterproof, most coffee cups can’t be efficiently processed in most paper recycling mills, so the majority are incinerated or sent to landfill. And when people erroneously place the coffee cups into their recycling bins, it can contaminate the higher value plastic that can be recycled; often meaning the whole load has to go to landfill.
According to our friends from BioPak, up to
90% of single use hot beverage cups end up in landfill - equating to around 60,000 kg of plastic per annum.
What can you do?
More Actions You Can Take
List of Services
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Invest in a Reusable CupList Item 3
Spoil yourself by investing in a reusable cup that reflects your unique style.
There are loads of options available, including bamboo, crockery, metal and glass.
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Find a Responsible CafeList Item 1
As if you need an incentive for using a BYO Cup! But at responsible cafes, customers receive a discount when they 'choose to reuse'. If your favourite cafe isn't a member, you should encourage them to join the network.
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Swap and go
Scan, swap, drink, return. Green Caffeen is a FREE reusable café cup system for eco-focused cafes and coffee lovers across Australia. Cafes love it, coffee drinkers dig it and the planet high fives you for it.
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Recycle RightList Item 4
Disposable coffee cups are currently accepted for recycling in only a handful of council collections. However there are options for responsible recycling and the free Recycle Mate app will help you find which of the 700 drop off locations across Australia is closest to you!
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Take a Seat!
If you're not in a hurry, take a load off. Actually sit down and relax for a moment. You might even enjoy yourself!
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Go topless!
If you have literally no option other than to accept a single use cup, be sure to refuse a lid.
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Pick it up!List Item 2
If you see a stray disposable cup on a seat, or dropped - please don't just walk past it, pick it up and bin it.
And of course uou can create a Clean Up event any day of the year. Learn more and sign up today.
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Share your Pledge!
We're calling on all Aussies to make a pledge to improve their environmental footprint. Share yours by taking a pic, sharing it and tagging @CleanUpAustralia #StepUptoCleanUp
Recycle Right, Mate!
Getting recycling right can be tricky. But luckily, there's an app for that!
Inspire your family and friends to make a change by sharing your pledge and tagging @CleanUpAustralia #CleanUpAustralia
Clean Up Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Clean Up Australia
Level 4, 233 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 8197 3400 or 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329)
All donations above $2 are tax deductible for Australian taxpayers.
We are a registered charity with the ACNC.
ABN: 93 003 884 991
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