Woolworths launches coffee cup recycling initiative

Woolworths announced that it has launched a new coffee cup recycling initiative to all Western Cape stores with cafés, coffee carts or pods by using a custom-designed recycling bin which will enable in-store customers to ensure their coffee cups are recycled easily.

This comes after the company experienced successful trials at the Woolworths Head Office and Garden Centre store.

How the bin works, it is divided into three different compartments which serve a different function. 

The first step is to dispose of the plastic lid in the first partition which is sized so that only lids can fit in.

The remaining liquid in the cup then needs to be poured into the liquid partition which has a 1.5-litre bucket in it that is emptied and sanitised between uses.

The coffee cup is placed into the third partition which is shaped to resemble a coffee cup to make it easier for the user.

The lids and cups are then collected from Woolies’ stores through the reverse logistics system which uses return trips to transport recyclable store waste to the Woolworths Distribution Centre where it is collected and sorted before moving onto the recyclers.

Woolworths also offers various reusable coffee cup options for customers who prefer to use their own coffee cups, as well as giving a R1 discount for bringing your own cup.

Guzzle Media