Global firms join hands to launch 'Simply Cups' waste paper collection scheme

CANTERBURY (Scrap Monster): The companies and organizations in Thames Valley area can avail of the paper cup collection services starting Aug 1st. Two waste firms have entered into an agreement to create a new collection initiative that targets coffee and tea paper cups. The pilot project by Closed Loop Environmental Solutions and Simply Waste will initially be launched in Thames Valley Area and will later be expanded to cover more areas.

The earlier effort by vending cup recycling organization ‘Save-A-Cup’ to collect paper cups had failed. The paper cups which are made of high-strength paper with polyethylene coating on them are conventionally not accepted by waste streams for recycling. According to the firms, new technologies have now made it feasible and economical to separate the polyethylene coating from paper cups.

The firms will make use of the new technology pioneered by Cumbria-based firm James Cropper plc. It involves separating the cup waste in a warmed solution, which separates the plastic coating from the fibre. The polyethylene is skimmed off, leaving water and pulp. Once filtered, high-grade pulp remains which could be reused, said the companies.

The companies have also entered into a supply agreement with James Cropper. The materials collected by ‘Simply Cups’ will be tested for quality and then supplied to James Cropper plc’s Reclaimed Fibre Plant in the Lake District

According to estimates, UK uses around 2.5 billion cups each year.