Reconomy has set out a blueprint for a mandatory cup-takeback scheme it claims would generate a range of environmental benefits.
The circular economy specialist published a report on boosting recycling of disposable drinks vessels in conjunction with compliance scheme Valpak.
The Conservative government last year announced plans to require sellers of beverages in fibre-based composite cups to provide a dedicated bin for their collection. Under these proposals, the law would have applied to companies with 10 or more full-time employees or equivalent, and come into force this year.
Firms would also have had to report on the tonnage of disposable containers they placed on the market and the tonnage they had collected and sent for recycling.
However, timelines have slipped for several major waste initiatives, and there has been a change of government, leaving plans for the scheme uncertain.
Reconomy’s report, the 3.2 Billion Cup Challenge, said analysis had suggested recycling of disposable cups could soar from under 1 per cent to almost 40 per cent with a well implemented takeback initiative.
“That won’t happen automatically,” the study added. “It will require energy, funding, collaboration and consistent messaging, all of which have been missing to varying degrees in voluntary approaches to date.
“A mandatory scheme would level the playing field, increasing the number of collection points and making it convenient for consumers to drop their used cups off. This will divert material from landfill and incineration to recycling, generating greenhouse gas emission savings and wider benefits for the environment.”
A government spokesperson said: “This government is committed to creating a clear roadmap to a circular economy and we are pushing ahead with our reforms to reduce waste and boost recycling.”
