Dedicated recycling stations have been installed at more than 200 7-Eleven stores across Australia, enabling customers and others to dispose of all takeaway-coffee and Slurpee-type cups in an ecofriendly way.
The cups will be collected, processed and recycled by Simply Cups, an initiative of Australian company Closed Loop, which offers environmental solutions to businesses and schools.
The partnership between 7-Eleven and Simply Cups is aimed at saving 70 million cups from landfill each year – or two per second.
Simply Cups founder Rob Pascoe says a common misconception is that most takeaway cups are recycled.
“Takeaway cups are lined with polyethylene, which prevents liquids from seeping through the cup, but also prevents the cups being recycled through normal paper-recycling facilities,” he said.
Simply Cups has developed a technology that removes the plastic lining from paper-based cups, so that both materials can then be processed in regular paper and plastic recycling facilities.
“By collecting takeaway cups via a separate waste stream, Simply Cups can ensure that cups collected through the dedicated 7-Eleven bins will be recycled,” Mr Pascoe said.
7-Eleven CEO Angus McKay says the franchise is committed to helping the community recycle 70 million cups a year, equivalent to the number sold in-store.
“As Australia’s second largest takeaway-coffee destination we have a responsibility to take the lead and find a solution to save cups from going to landfill,” he said.
“Our goal is to change the way people think about recycling and encourage other organisations and community members to get on board and install a Simply Cups bin in their workplace, park or school, and make a difference to future generations.”
The 7-Eleven Simply Cups bins are being rolled out across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, providing separate receptacles for lids and cups. Any brand of takeaway-coffee cup or Slurpee-style paperboard cup can be recycled at 7-Eleven.
