Simply Cups program gains ARL recognition for paper cup recycling

Simply Cups, Australia's largest paper cup recycling program, has been recognised as an Alternative Destination under the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).

Traditional curbside recycling programs do not accept paper cups, which often end up in landfills.

The ARL gives consumers "easy-to-follow" instructions on which bin the cups should be placed in and an alternative destination option for specialised recycling programs, such as Simply Cups.

Cups recycled through the Simply Cups program are then given a second life as new products, such as asphalt, lightweight concrete products, and plasterboard substitutes.

Since its launch in 2017, the program has grown to more than 1500 collection points nationwide.

Rob Pasco, MD of Closed Loop Environmental Solutions – the operator of the Simply Cups program – said the organisation is thrilled with its ARL recognition.

"Around half of these collection points are accessible to all members of the public via our partnership with 7-Eleven and an increasing number of shopping centres and supermarkets," explained Pasco.

"We also have hundreds of office buildings, schools, hospitals, construction sites, and more providing cup recycling at their workplaces."

The ARL is managed by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), which requires recycling organisations to verify their packaging is recyclable and prove there they have a sufficient network of recycling points easily accessible to the majority of consumers.

7-Eleven CEO Angus McCay shared that as one of the largest sellers of takeaway coffee, the company wanted to offer a recycling solution for its cups.

"Through our partnership with Closed Loop, we have helped save more than 30 million cups from landfill," said McCay.

"We look forward to this number increasing dramatically now that cups can carry the ARL and help guide consumers to accessible recycling points such as the ones in most 7-Eleven stores."