Coffee Cup Recycling Trial

Did you know over two billion paper cups are discarded in Australia each year? That’s enough to fill 2,250 garbage trucks!

While takeaway coffee cups are made of paper, they’re also lined with plastic, making them impossible to dispose of through standard kerbside recycling. So they end up in our red bins and then go to landfill.

While using reusable cups is the best way to reduce the environmental impact of grabbing a takeaway coffee or hot chocolate, sometimes we forget. 

That’s why we are launching a coffee cup recycling trial program that will run between August 2024 and June 2026 at selected Council sites. During this time we will gather data and evidence to plan solutions for disposing of paper cups throughout the City of Melton.  

How it works

  1. Visit a coffee cup collection unit at: 
  2. Tip out leftover liquid into the liquid canister
  3. Flip the lid into the lids tube
  4. Slip your empty cup into the cups tube 

The cups are then recycled to make a range of local products such as building materials, roads and more.  

Frequently asked questions

What type of cups can be recycled?

Accepted items:

  • Disposable coffee cups 
  • hot drink paper cups (such as takeaway hot chocolate, coffee and tea cups)   
  • take-away soft drinks cups 
  • milkshake paper cups  
  • Slurpee cups  
  • compostable cups 
  • any type of paper-based cup

 

What type of cups can't be recycled?

Non accepted items:

  • any type of plastic cups or bottles  
  • aluminium cans  
  • long-life bottles  
  • any other waste and liquids 

 

Can I put compostable cups in my FOGO (green) bin?

No, compostable and biodegradable paper cups cannot be processed by our composting facility. You can only recycle them through specialist recycling such as Simply Cups or dispose in the red lid bin.  

Visit the FOGO page to learn what can and can’t be accepted.

What are other ways to reduce paper cup waste?

  • Remember your reusable cup: These include varieties of plastic, glass and ceramic keep cups. You can also take a cup or mug from your kitchen cupboard at home/office.
  • Choose a responsible café and save money: Many cafes offer a discount if you take your own clean reusable coffee cup, so you can save money (sometimes up to 50 cents) while getting your coffee fix.
  • Dine in: You can avoid disposing a cup by sitting down and spending a few minutes enjoying your drink. 

What happens after the trial?

The trial will be reviewed to look at options to expand the recycling program to other Council sites and also by engaging local businesses, cafes and shopping centres. 

Contact us

If you have any enquiries about the trial, contact our Sustainability Team at sustainability@melton.vic.gov.au

Back to top