The better option is to minimize the use of coffee pods. In addition, they’re filled with coffee, something recyclers don’t want (at least, in their machinery)! Some manufacturers of coffee pods will take back their pods, but the question is whether they’re actually recycled. Plastic coffee pods are made of composite materials, making them difficult to separate. This is similar to the confusion over whether plastic utensils are or aren’t curbside recyclable: Plastic coffee pods are made of rigid plastic so why can’t they go in the recycling bin? Related: 4 Simple Steps to Dispose of Disposables Coffee Pods These products can only be disposed of in certified compost facilities and cannot be recycled. What about those compostable coffee cups and bio-plastic beverage cups you’ve been given at eco-friendly food establishments? Or the compostable tableware sold at natural or zero waste stores? Can’t you put these products in the recycling bin?Ĭompostable plastics are not the same as regular fossil-fuel-derived plastics. They can only be composted in certified compost facilities. The solution? Reusable coffee mugs! Compostable and Bio-Plastic Products Compostable products are not curbside recyclable. In short, don’t place your take-out cups in the recycling bin. You’re protected from getting burned and your beverage stays hot for a longer period of time.Īs with other products made from composite materials (see numbers 5 and 6 below), the problem is that it’s extremely difficult, and not at all economical, for recycling facilities to separate the materials. In order to prevent hot liquids from soaking through the paper, coffee cups are lined with a thin layer of polypropylene plastic. That paper coffee cup? It’s not all paper. Related: Where Does Your Recycling Go? Why It Matters to You! “Paper” Coffee Take-Out Cups I note these items below but check local and state rules to see what will and won’t be accepted.įor recyclable, but not curbside recyclable items, check your local town website or municipal hauler for disposal locations, or try Earth 911‘s searchable database to find a recycling drop-off location near you. There are quite a few household items that are recyclable, just not curbside recyclable. Some Items Are Recyclable, But Not Curbside Recyclable Plastic is the worst culprit, but your best bet is to avoid unnecessary single-use items, regardless of what they’re made of, and opt for reusable and durable alternatives. Where does it all go? The vast majority of single-use plastic ends up being incinerated, as lingering waste in landfills, or as environmental pollution.
What’s worse, plastic production is poised to surge in the years ahead. This is particularly the case with plastic, where the recycling rate in this country is dismal and hovers under 10%. Remember, just because something is recyclable doesn’t mean it will be recycled. Just Because Something Is Recyclable Doesn’t Mean It Will Be Recycled. Curbside recycling programs vary from town to town, so check first with your municipality or local waste management service for what will and won’t be accepted in curbside recycling. Styrofoam and Other Polystyrene Foam ProductsĪ Few Things to Note… Check Your Local Rules First.Plastic Bags, Bubble Wrap and Other Plastic Film Items.Snack Bags and Other Mixed Material Packaging.Some Items Are Recyclable, But Not Curbside Recyclable.Just Because Something Is Recyclable Doesn’t Mean It Will Be Recycled.
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