Chloe Zhang
Plastic cups are a single-use product mainly for cold beverages. While most paper, plastic, and metal cups can be recycled in residential programs or drop-off locations, it depends on the type of plastic and the community you live in. Some communities accept certain types of plastic cups (to-go, takeout, or fast-food cups) and paper cups for recycling, while others do not. Plastic #6, or polystyrene, is a type of plastic often used for disposable cups, and it is not recycled by most cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Number | #6 |
| Plastic Type | Polystyrene |
| Recyclability | Non-Recyclable |
| Disposal | Trash |
| Alternative | Reusable Cups |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic cups with the number 6 are usually not recyclable
However, some companies like TerraCycle offer programs to recycle these plastic cups. For example, the Solo® Cup Free Recycling Program by TerraCycle accepts any rigid, plastic #6 cup. Additionally, Red Cup Living offers a reusable cup that resembles the classic red Solo® cup, providing an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic cups.
It is important to note that recycling policies can vary between different municipalities. While some recycling centers only accept #1 and #2 plastics, others may have the capacity to process #6 plastic. Therefore, it is advisable to contact your local recycling center to understand their specific guidelines and properly dispose of your plastic waste.
To identify the type of plastic in your cup, look for the triangular recycling symbol, which should contain a number. This number indicates the type of plastic, with #1 and #2 plastics being the most commonly recyclable, and #6 plastics typically not accepted for recycling.
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Check the recycling symbol to identify the type of plastic
Plastic cups are usually made from polystyrene, or plastic #6, which is not recycled by most cities. However, you can send any rigid, plastic #6 cups to the Solo® Cup Free Recycling Program by TerraCycle.
Recycling symbols appear on many everyday items and help identify how different types of packaging can be recycled. These symbols are based on what the majority of local authorities collect or do not collect. The "chasing arrows" symbol, which is a triangle made of arrows and usually contains a number, is used to identify the type of plastic resin used to make the item. This number is called the 'Resin Identification Code'.
The number in the "chasing arrows" symbol defines the resin used and ranges from 1 to 7. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. For example, 1 is PET, which is used for drinks bottles and some food packaging and is widely recycled. Number 2 is HDPE, which is used for cleaning product bottles, milk cartons, etc., and is also widely recycled. Number 3 is PVC, which is used for car parts and window fittings and is not easily recyclable. Number 4 is LDPE, used for plastic bags and wrapping, and can be recycled at specialist points. Number 5 is PP, used for some tubs and trays, and is widely recycled. Number 6 is PS, used for takeaway boxes and disposable cutlery, and is not easily recyclable. Finally, number 7 stands for "other plastics," which can include acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass.
Therefore, by checking the recycling symbol and identifying the type of plastic, you can determine whether your plastic cups can be recycled and, if so, the appropriate disposal route.
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Some companies offer recycling programs for plastic cups
Plastic cups are one of the major contributors to plastic waste. While some plastic cups are technically recyclable, they often end up in landfills or incinerators. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that most cities do not recycle plastic #6, which is what Solo cups are made of. Additionally, recycling programs often do not accept items with electronic devices or batteries attached, as these can contaminate the recyclable material and prevent it from being recycled.
Some companies are trying to address this issue by offering recycling programs for plastic cups. For example, TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box program allows people to send in their #6 rigid plastic cups to be recycled. The company sorts the materials based on characteristics and composition and then cleans them before sending them to third-party partners to process the materials into usable forms. The recycled waste is then sold to manufacturing companies to produce the end product and complete the recycling journey.
Another example is the Solo Cup Free Recycling Program by TerraCycle, which accepts any rigid, plastic #6 cup. Upstream also offers a catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging. They also deliver products to consumers unpackaged.
While Starbucks promotes recycling and has redesigned its cold plastic cups to be made with less plastic, a CBS News investigation found that many of its plastic cups end up in landfills or incinerators instead of recycling facilities. Starbucks provided a list of four facilities that collect and sort #5 plastics, with only one company, KW Plastics, recycling #5 cups into new plastic items.
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Plastic cups with numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are often recyclable
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number indicates the type of plastic the product is made of, and each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
Types 1 and 2 plastics can usually be tossed into standard recycling bins. However, other plastic types may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your local guidelines. It is important to check with your local government or department of environmental protection for specific information on what types of plastic can be recycled in your area.
Type 4 plastics, such as plastic bags, should not be put into recycling bins as they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. These can usually be recycled at grocery stores.
Type 6 plastics, such as Styrofoam, are generally not recyclable. Even when some Styrofoam products are recycled, takeout containers are often not accepted because they are difficult to sanitize.
It is important to note that the presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. The number inside the triangle indicates whether the plastic can be recycled and should be checked against the guidelines of your local recycling facilities.
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Polypropylene plastic cups are recyclable
Plastic cups are a major contributor to the global plastic waste problem. The United States alone discards enough plastic cups and dinnerware to circle the Earth three hundred times. However, some plastic cups can be recycled, depending on the type of plastic they are made from.
Polypropylene (PP) plastic cups can be recycled. PP plastic cups are often used for cold beverages and come in a range of sizes, from 7 to 42 ounces. These cups are clear, translucent, or customizable, and some have dome or flat lids.
Recycling programs and facilities that accept PP plastic cups are available. For example, the Zero Waste Box™ by TerraCycle accepts #6 rigid plastic cups for recycling. This program includes sorting materials, cleaning them, and sending them to third-party partners to process the materials into usable forms. The recycled raw material is then sold to manufacturing companies to complete the recycling journey.
It is important to check with your local recycling program or waste management provider to confirm if they accept PP plastic cups and any specific guidelines they may have for recycling this material. Properly disposing of and recycling PP plastic cups can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
No, 6 plastic cups are not recyclable and must be thrown in the trash. However, you can send them to the Solo® Cup Free Recycling Program by TerraCycle.
6 plastic, also known as polystyrene, is often hard and brittle. It is used in products like compact disc cases and single-use cups from coffee chains.
Plastic cups with recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are recyclable. You can recycle them in either curbside or other recycling programs that accept RIC “1” items.
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