Eddie Russell
The launch of a coffee cup recycling program in Melton means caffeinated residents can stop more than 50,000 paper cups going to landfill.
The trial was launched by Melton council in partnership with Simply Cups at the start of the month with bins set up across the area.
This includes the libraries in Caroline Springs and Melton and Cobblebank Stadium.
Melton Environment Group president Daryl Akers said the move was a “step in the right direction” and was a positive approach to tackling waste.
“Thinking along those lines is a good way to deal with the problem – any attempts are applauded,” he said.
“It’s ideal… better than throwing them into the landfill.”
However, Mr Akers said that there is one solution that is more sustainable than recycling – keep cups.
“A couple of years ago, there was a trend towards reusing your own cup rather than buying single use cups – it would be better if people can go back to that,” he said.
“Reusing over and over again is preferred. Much of the plastic [in coffee cups] is single use and stays in the environment for decades.”
More than 2 billion paper cups are discarded in Australia each year.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said the initiative helped create a “more sustainable environment.”
“By recycling paper cups through a specialist processor, we can reduce contamination in kerbside recycling and stop unnecessary waste going to landfill,” she said.
Specialised recycling facilities can turn cups into building material, roads and lightweight concrete products.
Coffee cups, takeaway soft drink cups, ice cream cups and compostable/biodegradable cups will be accepted during the trial.
