MP hits out at 'collective shrug' by industry over disposable cup recycling
Just 1% of the 2.5bn聽disposable cups we throw away every year in the UK are being recycled, an environmental panel has heard.
Wednesday 11 October 2017 00:15, UK
MPs have heard that coffee shops must do more to stop the staggering amounts of waste caused by takeaway cups, with experts predicting that we will be throwing away more than three billion a year by 2025.
Mary Creagh MP, who is leading an inquiry into the environmental damage caused by disposable drinks packaging, asked representatives from some of the world's biggest coffee companies if the industry has "been sitting tight and hoping nobody is going to notice what it's up to".
The panel heard that just 1% of the 2.5bn disposable cups we throw away every year are being recycled, and that without urgent action that figure will continue to rise.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Creagh told Sky News: "The manufacturers seem to be saying it's all too difficult to make a cup that matches what the standard needs to be and we can't use recycled materials in it because they could be contaminated with food waste.
"So it's a bit of a collective shrug that it's all too difficult to deal with."
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Many people are under the impression that takeaway cups are entirely recyclable, but standard cardboard cups contain a thin layer of plastic which makes them waterproof.
It also makes them more difficult to recycle and just a few of the UK's 47 paper mills will take them.
Representing Costa on the panel, the company's environment manager Oliver Rosevear said making all takeaway cups recyclable is only a small part of the solution.
He said: "You can have the most recyclable cup out there but if it actually isn't put in the right bin it's not going to get recycled.
"It is mostly general waste bins on the street and that is where the challenge exists.
"There is a huge amount we need to do about engaging the consumer, but also it's about making sure everyone is aware through the right signage and messages how they can recycle."
The environmental audit committee heard evidence on possible courses of action, including charging people extra for using takeaway cups, or banning non-recyclable cups entirely, as France plans to do by 2020.
The panel will hear more evidence, including from Environment Secretary Michael Gove next month.
It plans to publish its recommendations in December.
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