Switching to a reusable cup is as important for iced drinks as it is for hot drinks since single-use takeout cold cups are made from #5 plastic that is generally not recyclable

In an article on footprint.org, Jodi Helmer lists the problems with disposable cups.  Neither styrofoam nor paper coffee cups, which are lined with plastic, nor plastic coffee cup lids are effectively recyclable.  She points out that "The plastic cups used for iced drinks are also problematic. Most are made from polypropylene (#5 plastic) that is not accepted in many curbside recycling programs."*  Paper sleeves for hot drinks are recyclable and often made from recycled material.  As an alternative, she suggests "to avoid the cup conundrum, take your own mug. Coffeeshops often offer small discounts to customers who bring their own cups (at Starbucks, the discount is 10 cents). In Berkeley, California, coffee drinkers who want to take their dark roast to go will pay an additional 25 cents for their cups thanks to a new ordinance aimed at reducing single-use plastics. The fee goes into effect in 2020."*  She also recommends avoiding lids, straws and stirrers.

*Jodi Helmer Published: 8/14/19, Last updated: 12/11/20, "The Massive Impact of Your Takeout Coffee Cup" , footprint.org
Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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