Takeaway coffee cups might look like paper, but most have a thin plastic lining inside to prevent leaks.
This lining is fused to the paper, so it can’t be separated easily in standard recycling systems.
That means coffee cups cannot go in your kerbside recycling bin. Instead, place them in your rubbish (red lid) bin, where they will go to landfill.
But there are better ways to reduce waste. At home, you can separate the parts—put the plastic lid in the recycling bin and the cup in the rubbish bin. Even better, look for a Simply Cups collection station at places like 7 Eleven, cafes or food courts. These specialised programs can recycle the cups correctly.
Choosing reusable cups is another simple way to reduce waste and make a positive impact.