Are Starbucks cups recyclable? (What are Starbucks Cups Made Of + more information)
You have probably ordered more than one hundred cups of your favorite drinks from a Starbucks shop. However, have you ever thought “are Starbucks cups recyclable?” Read on to find out.
Starbucks cups are not fully recyclable because of the inner lining they are made of. During my recent visit to Starbucks, I came across a group of students at Starbucks, who had stopped for cups of coffee during their trip. After they left, I kept wondering where they would dispose of their Starbucks cups, as there were many. I later learned more interesting facts about Starbucks cups and will share them with you. Stick to the end to know if the cups are recyclable.
Table of Contents
What is Starbucks Cups made of?
For years, Starbucks shops have been leading in sales regarding their drinks, as they come in these beautiful cups. The Starbucks cups make it easy for a customer to enjoy their drink, whether cold or hot, as they do not leak or burn your hand when holding them. This is because these cups are made with cardboard-like paper, which makes them perfect for grabbing your tea or coffee. On the inside, these cups are coated with a thin layer of plastic to prevent the drinks from leaking.
Are Starbucks Cups Compostable?
Not all Starbucks cups are compostable. Although a few of them have been termed as compostable, it is hard for you as a customer to tell if your cup is compostable or not, as Starbucks’ aim is for their customers, not to tell the difference. Starbucks released their compostable cups in 2020 for trial to see if they will work perfectly like their old cups. These cups were released in a few cities to see their customers’ feedback. This is after Starbucks had been planning for years to release new cups that will be recyclable and compostable. Instead of putting a plastic lining in the cups like their old ones, Starbucks’ new trial cups are made with a BioPBS lining, a type of biodegradable plastic from Mitsubishi Chemical. Starbucks has not entirely replaced their old cups with compostable ones, as they are still on trial.
How Do I Dispose of Starbucks cups?
Although there is little to none you can do if you want to fully recycle your beautiful Starbucks coffee cup after using it, you can safely dispose of it in a bin to ensure that it is taken to a landfill with other cups. This is because you cannot dispose of it in a recycle bin, as it cannot be recycled.
When did Starbucks Introduce Reusable Cups?
Starbucks reusable cups were introduced in March this year in five stores based in Seattle. These cups replaced the old Starbucks cups and aimed to reduce the number of cups in landfills. Starbucks aims to introduce these reusable cups across all its shops worldwide by 2030. These reusable cups work in that you will still be served your favorite drink in a Starbucks cup and allowed to drink it from anywhere you want. After you finish it, you will drop the cup in one of the kiosks around the Starbucks shop, where it will be professionally washed and sanitized for use by the next customer. You do not have to worry about these reusable cups limiting your order, as they are suitable for hot and cold drinks.
What sizes are Starbucks reusable cups?
The Starbucks reusable cups are currently available in Tall, Grande, and Venti sizes, giving customers a comprehensive option to choose from. Although these cups are yet to be made in Trenta sizes, there is still hope that they will be introduced soon.
How much are Starbucks reusable cups?
Although these reusable cups are still on trial, you will have to leave a deposit of $1 to be able to be served in a Starbucks reusable cup. Upon returning the cup, you will be given back your $1 and will also be able to earn a couple of loyalty reward points from Starbucks. This price remains constant through all cups. If you wish to purchase your reusable cups from Amazon, you can look at their varieties below.
Cup |
Price |
Starbucks 1 pack bundle-Reusable Frosted 24 oz Col cup | |
Starbucks Reusable Duo: 24oz Cold Cup and 16oz Hot Cup | |
Starbucks Reusable Cups Recyclable Grande 16oz | |
Starbucks Holiday 2021 limited Color Changing Reusable Hot Cups | |
Starbucks Reusable 3 Hard Plastic Venti 24oz Frosted Ice Cold Drink Cup |
FAQ Section
Are Starbucks plastic cold cups recyclable?
No. Starbucks is yet to release col cups that are recyclable officially.
Are Starbucks coffee pods Recyclable?
Yes, they are recyclable.
Is Starbucks an environmentally-Conscious Company?
Although it is not there yet, Starbucks is improving to be an environmentally-conscious company by inventing reusable and compostable cups.
Is there a solution To The Single-Use Plastic Cup Problem?
Yes. Starbucks has already introduced reusable cups to eliminate the single-use cup problem.