Australians will now have access to recycling instructions on qualifying paper cups, thanks to a partnership between the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s (APCO) Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) program and paper cup recycling program Simply Cups.
Simply Cups, acknowledged as an ‘Alternative Destination’ under the ARL program, has introduced a distinctive ‘Drop Off Only’ logo on qualifying paper cups, which directs consumers to recycle their paper cup at one of more than 1500 collections points across Australia.
The ARL is an on-pack label that provides consumers with easy-to-understand instructions about how to responsibly dispose of all parts of a product’s packaging.
The evidence-based label clearly identifies if an item of packaging belongs in the kerbside recycling, general waste bin, or can be recycled by following a simple instruction.
“The Simply Cups program for paper cups is a fantastic initiative and we are delighted to be able to provide the public clearer guidance and greater opportunities to recycle these products after use and away from home,” said Chris Foley, APCO’s CEO.
“The ARL logo is an effective pointer for directing behaviour, with 76 per cent of Australians recognising the ARL, the application of the Drop Off Only ARL on paper cups will see more paper cups put to good use, and less waste ending up in our landfills.”
Paper cups pose a significant recycling challenge in regular Australian kerbside collections due to their waterproof lining.
Away-from-home programs like Simply Cups are now recognised as Alternative Destinations for paper cup disposal under the ARL.
These programs play a crucial role in managing packaging not accommodated by regular collection systems in Australia and/or New Zealand.
“Through the Drop Off Only ARL, brands have the opportunity to engage with their customers about recycling. Being at the forefront of responsible disposal will reduce the number of paper cups ending up in landfill or littered in our communities,” said Rob Pascoe, managing director of Closed Loop Environmental Solutions, the company behind the Simply Cups Program.
“Our initiative Simply Cups, has one simple goal, for paper cups to be given a second life. Consumers want to do what’s right, and there is a lot of misinformation on recycling paper cups such as coffee cups. Consumers want clear messaging; the ARL provides this recycling message.”
Following collection, Simply Cups partners with reprocessors who use innovative technologies to transform the used cups into new products like roads and lightweight concrete slabs, diverting them from landfill.
