Costa trials reCUP paper cup in bid to boost recycling

To read the story in Packaging News UK, click the link below:http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/markets/drinks/costa-trials-recup-paper-cup-in-bid-to-boost-recycling-22-03-2017   Costa Coffee is evaluating Smart Planet Technologies’ reCUP paper cup to use in its stores.   If successful the cups could help improve acceptability of paper cups for out-of-store collection and recycling.   Now, Costa Coffee is addressing challenges in out-of-store recycling by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the reCUP to improve the process-ability and acceptance of paper cups in standard recycling facilities across the UK, while maintaining the performance standards of Costa Coffee’s takeaway paper cup.   The evaluation will also validate the acceptance of reCUP paper cup technology under UK and EU regulations for paperboard packaging.   Will Lorenzi, president of Smart Planet Technologies, said a switch by Costa to the reCUP would serve as a ‘proven option’ for the rest of the foodservice packaging industry in the UK to consider, instead of paper cups that that are unacceptable to the standard recycling facilities.   “The reCUP has the potential to address the entire issue in a cost-effective manner, and provide the recycling industry with a new source of feedstock for recycled paper packaging.”   He added the cup could prove to be a cost-effective transition, that is manufactured on standard paper cup forming equipment at full line speeds.   Traditionally, paper cups have been coated on the interior with polyethylene or other plastics, to form the cup and hold liquid contents, but which has made paper cups difficult to recycle in standard paper recycling processes. This is the main reason for the low recycling rates when it comes to paper cups.