In the UK we drink billions of cups of coffee every year, and while it's a delicious and invigorating beverage, it also produces a lot of waste.

Every year, the UK generates over 250,000 tonnes of coffee grounds, disposing of 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups. Most of this waste ends up in landfills, where it takes hundreds of years to decompose and releases harmful methane gas into the atmosphere.

But there is good news! Coffee cups and coffee grounds can be recycled. At First Mile, we offer comprehensive coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services for businesses of all sizes.

Why should you recycle coffee cups?

Disposable paper cups used in coffee chains, train stations and independent coffee shops are lined with a thin layer of plastic, which makes them difficult to recycle.

However, there are now a number of specialist recycling facilities that can separate the plastic from the paper in the cup and recycle both materials into new products.

Recycling coffee cups helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and conserves natural resources. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as it takes less energy to recycle coffee cups than to manufacture new ones.

Why can't paper cups go in paper recycling bins?

That thin plastic layer that makes up around 5% of the paper cup is difficult to separate and makes used coffee cups not recyclable leading to around 2.5 million disposable cups being thrown away in the UK every year in your typical household general waste bin.

Used paper cups that are sent to landfills for waste disposal can cause a host of environmental issues, they release greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide.

It's also important not to put coffee cups in paper recycling bins as the remaining liquid in the paper cups can leak and contaminate other waste - this can affect the whole recycling process.

At First Mile, we're committed to sending nothing to landfill. All the material we collect in General Waste is processed to generate green energy to power the grid, improving your business's green credentials and carbon footprint.

Why should you recycle coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are a valuable resource that can be used to make a variety of products, including compost, biofuels, and cosmetics.

Composting coffee grounds helps to improve soil health and fertility. Biofuels made from coffee waste can be used to power vehicles and generate electricity. And cosmetics made from coffee grounds are becoming increasingly popular due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

How does First Mile's coffee cup recycling service work?

First Mile's coffee cup recycling service is simple and convenient. We provide our customers with special recycling sacks for their coffee cups. These are collected on a regular basis and transported to our partner recycling facility.

At the recycling facility, the coffee cups are sorted and the plastic is separated from the paper. The plastic is then recycled into new products, such as park benches and traffic cones. The paper is recycled into high-quality paper products, such as tissues and toilet paper.

Click here to learn more about our circular economy, zero-to-landfill, Coffee Cups Recycling service.

How does First Mile's coffee grounds recycling service work?

First Mile's coffee grounds recycling service is also simple and convenient. We provide our customers with special recycling bins for their waste coffee grounds. These bins are collected on a regular basis and transported to Envar, our partner recycling facility.

At the recycling facility, the coffee grounds are composted or converted into biofuels, cosmetics and even coffee logs.

How to get started with First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services

If you're interested in getting started with First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services, simply visit our website or contact us today. We'll be happy to provide you with a free quote and answer any questions you have.

Benefits of using First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services

There are many benefits to using First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services. These include:

  • Reduced environmental impact: Recycling coffee cups and coffee grounds helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and conserve natural resources. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Convenience: First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services are simple and convenient. We provide our customers with special recycling bins and collect them on a regular basis.

  • Cost-effectiveness: First Mile's coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling services are very cost-effective. We offer a variety of pricing plans to suit businesses of all sizes.

  • Commitment to sustainability: First Mile is committed to sustainability. We believe that every business can play a role in protecting the environment. That's why we offer a range of recycling and waste management services that help businesses to reduce their environmental impact.

First Mile Coffee Recycling

If you're looking for a convenient and environmentally friendly way to recycle your coffee cups and waste coffee grounds which helps your business save money, then First Mile is the perfect solution for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get a free quote.

Benefits of Recycling Coffee

In addition to the environmental and financial benefits of recycling coffee cups and waste coffee grounds, there are also a number of social benefits. For example, recycling coffee grounds can create jobs in the composting and biofuels industries.

Recycling coffee cups can also help raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage people to make more sustainable choices.

If you're a business owner, you can also use your coffee cup and waste coffee grounds recycling program to promote your brand and commitment to sustainability. This can help you to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

We hope this blog has given you a better understanding of the benefits of coffee cup and coffee grounds recycling. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.