Plastic takeaway cups (e.g., cold drink cups from cafés, bubble tea cups, smoothie cups) are typically made from lightweight plastics such as PET or polypropylene. They may come with plastic lids and straws and can sometimes have leftover liquid or food residue.
Disposal Options
- Clean Cup (Rinsed, no residue) – Recycling Bin
- Dirty Cup (Residue) – General Waste Bin
- Plastic Lid and Straw – General Waste Bin
- Paper Straw - FOGO Bin
Why
Plastic takeaway cups can often be placed in the Recycling bin, but only if they are clean and free of contamination. Check for a Plastic Identification Code 1 or 5 to ensure it is recyclable. Food and liquid residue can spoil entire recycling loads, sending otherwise recyclable materials to landfill. Small or lightweight plastic items like lids and straws are usually not accepted in kerbside recycling because they can fall through sorting equipment and are difficult to process.
Did You Know
Choosing reusable cups can significantly reduce waste.