Grab a Coffee and Go - Harmless, Right?

By: Shelby Weaver, Student
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Recycling is not a new idea – in fact, Canadians are getting better at it, recycling 255 kilograms of garbage per person that would have ended up in landfills (1). However, there is some misunderstanding about what exactly is recyclable. In 2017, 52,000 tonnes of waste were mistakenly recycled (2). A major contributor to this confusion are disposable paper cups. ​

Due to the plastic or wax lining of the cups, as well as the poor paper quality used, take-out paper cups can not be recycled (2). 
Because of this, the City of Toronto recommends that paper cups be thrown into the garbage, while the lids and cardboard lining, as long as they are not black, can be placed into the blue recycle bin (2). If the lid and lining are black, they too have to be thrown into the garbage. Considering that disposable cups are frequently used by Canadians, the environmental impact is of concern. In 2010, 1.5 billion disposable cups were used, just by major coffee chains alone (3).
The good news is that there are some things Canadians can do to reduce their environmental impact and still enjoy take-out beverages:

1. Bring a travel mug with you and ask for your drink to go in there rather than in a take-out cup. Did you know that Starbucks offers a 10% discount if you bring your own cup?
2. If you are eating in-store, opt for the use of a reusable mug.
3. Remember that only lids and cardboard rings, if not black, go into the blue bin**
4. Encourage and educate others on the importance of reducing their use of disposable cups.
5. Try to use wooden stir sticks rather than plastic ones. Wooden stir sticks can go into the green bin, if your city has them!
6. Reduce or replace your use of plastic straws. Alternatives include stainless steel, bamboo, or glass straws.

Now go forth and enjoy that coffee – the environmentally-friendly way. Who knows, maybe it’ll taste a little bit better.

​** London Ontario now allows paper cups and lids, even if black in colour, to go into the blue recycling bin, as long as they are empty and rinsed out.

References:

1. Government of Canada SC. The Daily — Waste management industry: Business and government sectors, 2014 [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2018 May 1]. Available from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170324/dq170324c-eng.htm
2. What Goes in My Blue Bin? [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2018 May 1]. Available from: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/houses/what-goes-in-my-blue-bin/ 
3. Jun 21 CN · P, June 21 2016 10:57 AM ET | Last Updated:, 2016. When you finish your double double, don’t toss your cup in the recycling bin, city says | CBC News [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 May 1]. Available from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/recycling-campaign-1.3645025

​About the Author
Shelby Weaver recently completed her second year at Brescia University College where she is pursuing an education in the Nutrition and Families module. She enjoys many aspects of nutrition, but her true passion lies with food literacy and food security. Shelby has spent the last two years as a Peer Educator with FRESH (Food Resources and Education for Student Health) and has recently become the Professional Representative for SHEA's Executive Team. Apart from school and volunteering, she enjoys discovering new coffee shops and cafes, creating content for her food-related Instagram page, and cozying up with a good book and a cup of tea. Shelby looks forward to pursuing the Professional Home Economist designation upon graduation.