Paper cups: recyclable packaging

In France, 3 million tonnes of paper and household paper-board packaging, including 10,000 tonnes of paper cups, contribute to the financing of collection, sorting and recycling.

Fast food generates waste specific to this mode of consumption, including paper cups made of cellulose fibres and a plastic coating. Their recyclability has been established by two positive opinions from CEREC1 (Paper-Board Packaging Recyclability Assessment Committee).

They are formally accepted within the packaging standards by the three take-back options in France: individual, federations (FEDEREC, FNADE, SNEFID), and sector (REVIPAC), provided they are collected empty and without any lids and straws.

It should also be noted that any food residue present on this type of packaging is not an obstacle to its effective recycling. The national sorting instructions in France include cups in order to direct them to the selective collection of packaging. Paper cups are included in the material standards defined by the approval specifications of the household packaging sector.

During sorting operations, they can be directed to the PCNC (non-complexed paper-boards) or PCC (complexed paper-boards) standards. The presence of paper cups therefore cannot justify refusals of take-back and recycling of the PCNC and PCC standards by the take-back operators of the different take-back options.

This is why all stakeholders in the sector wish to point out that the recycling of paper cups, including those from on-the-go consumption, must be developed. When they are handled by the SPGD (public waste management service), they are an integral part of the sorting and recycling system supported by Citeo and Adelphe. For flows of paper cups from household consumption outside the home and not taken back by the SPGD, operators are able to offer separate collection services to ensure their sorting and recycling.

Learn more: communique-presse-8-partenaires-avis-CEREC.pdf (alliancegobeletcarton.fr)