Two in three coffee drinkers in city unable to recycle cups
CONSUMERS across Glasgow are being faced with a daily challenge when trying to dispose of their single-use cups, according to environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The charity has today released new data revealing that while 73 per cent of people in Glasgow drink from single-use cups, only 12% of them have managed to recycle their cups properly – highlighting the confusion surrounding one of the most common single-use items in circulation.
Across Greater Glasgow it is estimated 95 million single-use cups are used every year. Despite 70% of people having tried to recycle their cups, a lack of awareness and suitable facilities means almost two-thirds have been unable to do so.
To tackle the problem, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Cup Movement Campaign has partnered with Costa, Starbucks, McDonalds, and Pret to highlight their existing in-store cup recycling facilities that are available for any cup no matter where it was purchased.
The #TakeItBack initiative will encourage the people of Glasgow to recycle their cups at any of the 68 city centre store locations where cup recycling is available.
The campaign will also highlight that using a reusable cup is the best option for reducing cup waste, with customers being encouraged to #ChooseToReuse.
Paul Wallace, campaigns and social innovation manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “There is a demand for better cup recycling facilities. I hope this initiative will encourage more people to #TakeItBack and increase the number of singleuse cups being recycled.
“If we are serious about reducing the millions of singleuse cups being used and discarded, we need to increase reuse and recycling behaviours. “We hope this initiative will help people make more sustainable choices.”
The campaign will also be supported by Glasgow City Council, which will be adding the #TakeItBack message to the blue on-the-go recycling bins in the city centre that don’t accept coffee cups.
Councillor Richardson, who is city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “The Cup Movement in Glasgow is about reducing the consumption of disposable cups and making them easier to recycle.”