Swansea is tackling the on-the-go waste problem by introducing new colour-coded bins specifically for coffee cup recycling
Swansea has introduced a new recycling scheme, installing coloured bins with clear instructions for “on-the-go” waste.
The council is working with the charity Hubbub in a collaborative initiative, bringing more recycling bins into the city centre to save coffee cups, plastic bottles, glass bottles and cans from ending up in landfill.
Alice Rebondy, project lead of the campaign, said: “While we’re getting better at recycling at home, a lack of infrastructure and public understanding means that recyclable materials consumed on-the-go are being thrown away en masse.”
The scheme involves local businesses, charities, artists, and members of the public.
Hubbub has reported that their first waste evaluation after just one month has demonstrated a 40% decrease in contamination rates.
This means that the quality of the recycling collected has increased, with fewer incorrect items found in recycling bins.
The charity also reported that almost 3bn disposable coffee cups are used each year, which works out at over 2,000 every minute.
There is confusion among the public about whether or not these are recyclable, and if so, how to do so.
Alice said: “Coffee cups contain a discreet plastic lining that makes them waterproof, meaning they require special treatment in order to separate the plastic from the cardboard.
“We have brought coffee cup recycling facilities to Swansea for the first time and are looking to educate people about the best practice when it comes to recycling coffee cups.”
She added: “In short, make sure they’re empty, bin the lid and sleeve and put them in the right bin!”
Caitlin Patrick, 22, lives in Swansea and said: “I haven’t seen any of the new colourful bins around but I think it’s a great idea and they should introduce more.”
The scheme, which started in Leeds, has also launched in Edinburgh and will be taking on Dublin at the start of next year.
