Our community is discussing disposable plastic drink cups purchased at businesses in the City and the issues of litter and recycling. So I'd like to know if anyone has any information or tips on how to deal with litter or recycling of plastic drink cups. We have an ordinance that requires recyclable or compostable food service-ware, so we have already taken that step, but now we are getting into specific packaging products and the possible solutions and alternatives. So far we have only considered plastic bottles to be recyclable, but some communities have expanded their recycling programs to allow more types of plastic to be accepted for collection.
Thanks.
Peter Schultze-Allen
Environmental Analyst
City of Emeryville, Public Works Department
1333 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608
510-596-3728
Single Use Plastic Drink Cups - Litter and Recycling
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Hi Peter,
Here at Stanford University, we have specified the #1 PETE plastic cup for parties. We are in the process of banning the infamous #6 PS Red Cup that is normally used for fraternity, et al, and football games. This way all of the bottles and the cups can be recycled together. We recycle all #1 and #2 plastic (bottles, containers, packaging) and then #3-7 bottles only.
Julie Muir
PSSI/Stanford Recycling
339 Bonair Siding
Stanford, CA 94305
[email protected]
650.321.4236 ext 21
http://recycling.stanford.edu
...
This is only a partial solution, but I thought it was interesting. I was at a large ourdoor event that used plastic drinking cups. They had a system that enabled everybody to STACK their cups (upside down) one inside the other. There was a recepticle for dumping the leftover liquid and ice contents first. That way the nested cups took up a lot less room and the garbage did not overflow onto the lawn before the bins could be emptied. The transportation to the recycling facility was much easier and economical. This was in conjunction with using re-usable plates that were scraped of food and handed in at a kiosk for a return of $0.25 (staffed by volunteers??) . The dishes are washed and kept until next year's event.
Susan Ryan
Calgary