Vegware, the Edinburgh based packaging company, has announced another waste disposal option for its coffee cups. All of Vegware’s single and double wall hot cups can be recycled as well as composted, where accepted. This development adds to the end of life waste management options open to its clients.
The main obstacle to boosting the recycling rate of paper cups is the widespread misconception that they cannot be recycled due to their plastic lining. In reality, paper cups are recyclable, but they must be collected separately from other materials to ensure they are properly processed for recycling.
Vegware hot cups will now include the OPRL (On Product Recycling Label) recycling label alongside existing compostability certification (OK Compost and Din Certo) as well as a QR code for consumers to find out more about disposal information online. OPRL, of which Vegware is a member, is a not for profit UK scheme that provides on-pack recycling labels to encourage consumers to recycle accurately.
The addition of the label also shows Vegware’s commitment to ensuring its products are ready for the UK’s mandatory labelling requirements that will apply to all UK household packaging as of 1 April 2027. All packaging must be labelled with either ‘Recycle’ or ‘Do Not Recycle’ and may include instructions if recyclable but not via household collections.
The company has also joined the National Cup Recycling Scheme, the UK paper cup recycling initiative. This scheme brings together major retailers, waste management companies, and UK paper mills, all dedicated to expanding the infrastructure necessary for increasing the collection and recycling of paper cups across the country. Many retailers participating in the scheme have established dedicated recycling points for paper cups within their stores or are in the process of installing them. These recycling points accept paper cups from any brand, making it easier for consumers to contribute to the recycling effort.
In the UK, there is sufficient capacity to recycle paper cups. These facilities can handle the annual consumption of paper cups across the nation. The recycling process for these paper cups is quite similar to the standard procedure used for recycling other paper products.
Helen Mathieson, managing director at Vegware, stated: ‘We are delighted to provide our customers with greater flexibility in disposing of their coffee cups. By offering both recycling and composting options, we are making it easier for people to make informed choices. By investing in the correct labelling, we equip ourselves and our clients with the necessary information to understand cup recycling better.’
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