As a foodservice business, you serve countless beverages to your customers every day. Whether it’s a piping hot coffee or a soothing tea, hot cups are an essential part of your operations. But with growing environmental concerns and increasing demand for sustainability in the industry, you might be wondering—are the hot cups you’re using recyclable? The answer isn’t always straightforward.
The recyclability of hot cups depends on factors like their material substrate, coatings, and local recycling programs.
In this article, we’ll explore the complexities of recycling hot cups, share practical steps to improve their recyclability, and discuss sustainable alternatives that can help your business reduce waste without compromising on quality or customer experience. Plus, we’ll cover best practices for recycling to ensure your efforts are as impactful as possible.
You’ll also learn about the difference between the terms recyclable, compostable, and commercial compostable.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how your foodservice business can make smarter, greener choices—benefiting both the environment and your bottom line.
Why Aren’t All Hot Cups Recyclable?
Material Composition & Challenges in Recycling Hot Cups
Paper Hot Cups
Most disposable hot cups are made from paper. However, to prevent leaks and maintain the cup’s structure when filled with hot liquids, they are lined with a thin layer of plastic or wax. This lining is crucial for durability but creates a significant barrier during the recycling process.
Recycling hot cups requires specialized equipment to separate the paper from the plastic or wax, making it difficult for standard facilities to process them effectively. Many standard recycling facilities do not have this equipment. As a result, even though the paper component of the cup is technically recyclable, the entire cup often ends up in landfills unless sent to specialized recycling facilities.
Another significant challenge is contamination. Leftover liquids in hot cups can spoil entire batches of recyclables. If cups are not properly emptied and cleaned before disposal, they increase the likelihood of contamination, making it harder for facilities to process them.
Styrofoam Hot Cups
Hot cups can also be made from polystyrene. Polystyrene is not accepted in commercial recycling facilities.
Polystyrene is difficult to recycle because it is lightweight but does not break down easily. Recycling is calculated by weight and because polystyrene is recycled in such large quantities, but with so little weight, it is not profitable for recycling companies to accept. Recycling polystyrene uses more energy and costs more than the benefits received from recycling.
What Hot Cups are Recyclable?
Recyclable Hot Cups
Some manufacturers now produce hot cups with water-based or biodegradable coatings that eliminate the need for plastic linings, making them easier to recycle.
Compostable Hot Cups
Because recycling hot cups is notoriously difficult, compostable options may be better.
Compostable hot cups are made from plant-based materials and are lined with biodegradable coatings.
They are most commonly made from either bamboo or wood fiber, and are coated with a compostable PLA lining made from corn.
If you select a wax lined hot cup, you may be able to compost it through a commercial composting facility. They keyword here is commercial composting. While compostable cups are an excellent sustainable option, it’s important to ensure they are sent to proper composting facilities, as they won’t decompose efficiently in a landfill.
What Does Compostable Mean?
Composting is a natural process of recycling organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. While home composting is an excellent way to handle kitchen scraps and yard waste on a small scale, it’s limited in what it can break down. Traditional backyard composting works well for fruits, vegetables, and garden clippings, but it struggles with items like meat, dairy, or certain certified compostable products like containers because it doesn’t reach the high temperatures required to fully decompose these materials.
What Does Commercially Compostable Mean?
In contrast, commercial composting facilities are designed to handle a much wider range of organic waste. These industrial operations maintain controlled temperatures, aeration, and moisture levels, allowing them to break down tougher materials—including certified compostable packaging, compostable plastics, and foodservice products—that home composting systems cannot process effectively.
Although many products are labeled as compostable, they often require commercial composting to truly break down. Without access to these high-temperature facilities, these items may remain intact in a backyard compost pile or, worse, end up in landfills where they won’t decompose properly. Commercial composting ensures that these materials are fully processed, reducing landfill waste and creating high-quality compost for agricultural and landscaping use.
This distinction highlights the importance of proper disposal methods, especially for businesses and events that rely on compostable foodservice packaging. Keep in mind, that consumers won’t have access to commercial composting facilities so providing compostable packaging or cups isn’t helping the earth if they just dispose of it in a landfill.
Understanding the difference between home and commercial composting can help ensure that compostable products fulfill their intended purpose of supporting a sustainable, circular economy.
Key Tip: Always check with local waste management services to confirm whether recyclable or compostable cups can be processed in your area.
Implement On-Site Recycling and Composting Stations
That said, to encourage proper recycling and composting, set up dedicated recycling and composting stations in your establishment.
Use clear signage to indicate where customers should place their cups, lids, and sleeves. Providing visual instructions on how to empty and separate the components will reduce contamination and improve the effectiveness of your recycling efforts.
Are Drink Lids Recyclable?
Regardless of what type of cup being used, it’s equally as important to know if the lid can be recycled as well.
Most cup lids are made from plastic, but the specific type will determine the lids’ recyclability.
Lids made from polystyrene, plastic number 6, will not be accepted.
PET lids are recyclable, but due to their size may not be accepted in all curbside recycling programs. Check with your local commercial hauler.
Cup lids made from PLA, polylactic acid, are not recyclable but they are compostable.
Final Thoughts
Recyclability isn’t the only factor to consider when it comes to hot cups. By understanding the challenges, exploring sustainable alternatives, and adopting best recycling practices, your foodservice business can play a crucial role in reducing waste and meeting customer expectations for greener operations.
Ready to take the next step in sustainability? Contact Imperial Dade today to learn more about our eco-friendly product options and waste management solutions tailored to the foodservice industry.