How to Dispose of Compostable Cups

If your business offers drinks in compostable cups, it is important that you dispose of your used compostable cup waste responsibly. Used single-use cups are notorious for filling up bins quickly, causing them to overflow. In this article, we’ll explore different ways that hospitality businesses can dispose of cup waste more efficiently.

Where Should My Compostable Cup Waste Go?

An industrial composting facility is the ideal end destination for used cups thrown away in the UK that conform to the Industrial Compostable Certification (BS EN 13432). This is because industrial composting facilities such as In-Vessel Composting or Anaerobic Digestion are currently the only places that create the right conditions to compost this type of waste effectively. 

Can Compostable Cups Be Recycled?

Compostable cups should not be put into commercial recycling bins nor are they suitable for home composting. Plus, it is important not to confuse compostable packaging with biodegradable packaging. 

What Should I Do with My Cup Waste?

Although some customers may consume their drinks off-site, cafes offering a takeaway service who have chosen to use compostable cups should have a plan for disposing of them responsibly. The growing requirement for businesses to pre-sort their waste prior to collection is resulting in sites now needing to make space for numerous waste containers. Cafes, restaurants and takeaways with limited space for bins can maximize the volume waste held inside each waste container by using a waste compactor or a waste shredder.

What is a Compostable Cup Shredder?

Working in a similar way to a standard paper shredder, a shredder for compostable cups is a more heavy duty option tearing whole cups into tiny pieces. Not only can this process aid the composting process, pre-shredding your waste enables sites to fit more material into compostable packaging recycling sacks. This can dramatically reduce the space required to store the sacks of cups and the costs of disposal. Compostable Cup Shredders are available to buy or hire from QCR Recycling Equipment.

What About Other Types of Disposable Cups?

Lots of disposable cup waste can cause your bins to overflow quickly which isn't great for kerb appeal. Luckily non-compostable cup waste can be easily compacted by a general waste compactor. This enables your business to fit more single-use cups into your existing bins before a non-recyclable waste collection is required. If you pay for waste disposal on a per bin basis, this can lead to significant savings.