---
title: "Can you recycle coffee cups? It depends"
description: "Not in ordinary paper recycling — the plastic lining needs a specialist facility. What actually happens, what goes wrong, and what to do instead."
url: https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-coffee-cups/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Can you recycle coffee cups?

**It depends: Not in ordinary paper recycling — the plastic lining needs a specialist facility.**

A disposable coffee cup is paperboard bonded to a thin polyethylene film that keeps the liquid in. Standard pulping cannot separate the two, so the cup is rejected as contamination in a paper stream. Specialist facilities exist that can split the layers, and some chains run in-store collection points that feed them, but very few kerbside services accept cups. The lid is usually polypropylene and often recyclable separately; the cardboard sleeve almost always is.

## How to do it properly

1. Separate the lid and the sleeve — both are usually recyclable on their own.
2. Take the cup itself to an in-store collection point if one is available.
3. Otherwise the cup goes in general waste.

## Other options

- A reusable cup avoids the problem entirely and most chains discount for it.

## Other "can you recycle" questions

- [Can you recycle pizza boxes?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-pizza-boxes/) — It depends — Clean parts yes, grease-soaked parts no — tear the box and bin the oily half.
- [Can you recycle plastic bags?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-plastic-bags/) — It depends — Not in kerbside bins. They need a store drop-off point that takes soft plastic film.
- [Can you recycle batteries?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-batteries/) — It depends — Yes, but only at a collection point. Batteries in a kerbside bin start fires.
- [Can you recycle styrofoam?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-styrofoam/) — No — Effectively no. Almost no kerbside service takes it, and food-soiled foam never qualifies.
- [Can you recycle receipts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-receipts/) — No — No. Most receipts are thermal paper coated with BPA or BPS and must go in general waste.
- [Can you recycle shredded paper?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-shredded-paper/) — It depends — Often not loose — short fibres fall through the sorting screens. Bag it or check locally.

> Kerbside recycling rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always beat general guidance. Check your own collection service before assuming any material is accepted.

## Common questions

### Can you recycle coffee cups?

Not in ordinary paper recycling — the plastic lining needs a specialist facility.

## Related pages

- [Can you recycle pizza boxes?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-pizza-boxes/)
- [Can you recycle plastic bags?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-plastic-bags/)
- [Can you recycle batteries?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-batteries/)
- [Can you recycle styrofoam?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-styrofoam/)
- [Can you recycle receipts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-receipts/)
- [Can you recycle shredded paper?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/recycle-shredded-paper/)
- [Can you microwave styrofoam?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/microwave-styrofoam/)
- [Can you microwave aluminum foil?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/microwave-aluminum-foil/)
- [Can you microwave plastic containers?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/microwave-plastic-containers/)
- [Can you wash pillows?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-pillows/)
- [Can you wash sneakers in the washing machine?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/wash-sneakers/)
- [Can you reheat rice?](https://atoneplace.net/can-you/reheat-rice/)

## Sources

- US Environmental Protection Agency — EPA (https://www.epa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]