It’s Official: Paper Cups are Recyclable!

Press Release - July 2009
The Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group

In December 2008 The Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group reported a successful paper cup recycling trial in which virtually all the fibre from standard Polyethylene (PE) coated paper cups was successfully extracted and converted into high quality tissue fibre for use in products such as facial and toilet tissues.

The paper mill involved in the trial, pleased with the quality of fibre obtained, asked the
Paper Cup Recovery & Recycling Group to consider an on-going paper cup recycling
arrangement, provided continuity of supply could be maintained, at a level of, at least, 10
tonnes per month. To date this has been achieved, helped by the collection of paper by
Save-A-Cup.

Over the past two years the Group has been working with several UK paper mills and the
Fibre Technology Association to explore local recycling opportunities for paper cups. The
Group has also worked to define how best to prepare used paper cups for recycling. In
order to continue this work ongoing and increasing supplies of paper cups are required.
“The Group has taken a fantastic step, but the next challenge is collecting enough used
material, a minimum of 120t through 2009, to maintain continuity of supply to mills. If
anyone is already segregating paper cups on site and wants to help the activity of the
Group, please can they get in touch. It is also important we all promote Save-A-Cups
service” urges Barry Read consultant for the group. All paper cups collected by Save-A-Cup will be passed to the Group for recycling. Save-A-Cup can be contacted at:

Save-A-Cup Recycling Company Ltd
Suite 2, Bridge House
Bridge Street
High Wycombe HP11 2EL
E=mail: info@save-a-cup.co.uk
Tel: 01494 510167 / Fax: 01494 510168

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Paper Cup Recovery and Recycling Group please contact Barry Read of The Fibre Technology Association at:

The Fibre Technology Association
PO Box 420
Durham DH1 9WY
e-mail info@papercuprecycling.co.uk
Tel: 07836 796000 / Fax: 08701 370369
Press Contact: Susan Nash 01242 284325