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Coffee cups often sit alongside single use plastic bags and straws as one of the common images of the waste created by our convenience-led, consumer lifestyle.
The Packaging Forum estimates that in New Zealand 295 million beverage cups (including coffee cups) are used every year. This staggering number of throw away cups has led to significant growth in the number of brands of compostable coffee cups being used with the aim of lessening their environmental impact.
This is a good example of companies moving to solve a problem but inadvertently creating other issues such as contamination of recycling bins and compost. This is due in part to the lack of standards around the term “compostable” and the lack of collection and processing infrastructure for these materials.
The Packaging Forum decided to investigate the problem and seek appropriate New Zealand standards for compostable coffee cups.
The Packaging Forum estimates that in New Zealand 295 million beverage cups (including coffee cups) are used every year. This staggering number of throw away cups has led to significant growth in the number of brands of compostable coffee cups being used with the aim of lessening their environmental impact.
This is a good example of companies moving to solve a problem but inadvertently creating other issues such as contamination of recycling bins and compost. This is due in part to the lack of standards around the term “compostable” and the lack of collection and processing infrastructure for these materials.
The Packaging Forum decided to investigate the problem and seek appropriate New Zealand standards for compostable coffee cups.
We asked consultancy Beyond the Bin to identify where and how compostable coffee cups can be processed in New Zealand. We’re also investigating whether there are any end-of-life solutions for the range of cups now being used (compostable and traditional plastic / paper cups).
Beyond the Bin identified 11 facilities able to process compostable packaging in New Zealand and others running trials.
We asked consultancy Beyond the Bin to identify where and how compostable coffee cups can be processed in New Zealand. We’re also investigating whether there are any end-of-life solutions for the range of cups now being used (compostable and traditional plastic / paper cups).
Beyond the Bin identified 11 facilities able to process compostable packaging in New Zealand and others running trials.
We have identified a number of key factors that will help find a solution for compostable coffee cups:
We want to provide clarity for consumers with an agreed industry standard and a logo on cups.
Is there a need for new product design and new processes to ensure adequate end of life solutions?
Are standalone compost units an appropriate option?
