Recyclable Paper Cups with Printed Bin Instructions

Why the lining decides recyclability

Paper on its own soaks up liquid, so every drinks cup has a thin lining on the inside. That lining keeps your latte in the cup, but it also has to be separated from the board when the cup is recycled.

The type of lining affects how easily that happens. This is why we ask about lining at the quote stage rather than after the design is done.

If waste is only one of several concerns, our eco-friendly paper cup options page looks at board, print and sizing as well.

Who orders recyclable cups

Most orders come from businesses that already have cup recycling bins or are about to add them. Without a bin to go into, even a recyclable cup ends up in general waste.

We also hear from caterers whose clients ask about cup waste in their event contracts, and from offices with a waste plan to follow.

If you are not sure your site is ready, start with the bins. The cup order can follow once you know where used cups will go.

• Cafés with a dedicated cup bin by the door
• Universities and colleges running campus coffee counters
• Stadiums, theatres and venues that sort waste behind the scenes
• Office canteens with separate paper collection
• Event caterers working to a client's waste brief

Lining options at a glance

We quote the lining alongside the board and print, so you can see the effect on cost before you commit. The table is a plain summary of how to think about the choice.

You do not need technical knowledge to fill this in. Plain answers about your bins and your menu are enough for us to quote.

Talk to your waste collector first

Recycling rules differ from area to area and between waste contractors. Before you order, ask how they want used paper cups handed over.

Some want cups emptied and stacked, and some ask for them in a separate bag. Knowing this lets us suggest the right wording to print on the cup.

For a fuller explanation of how cup recycling works, read our guide to how recyclable paper cups work.

If your site has more than one collector, for example a landlord and a tenant contract, check with both.

1. Ask your collector whether they take paper cups
2. Find out how they want cups prepared
3. Check whether lids go in the same bin
4. Share the answers with us when you request a quote

Printing a bin message on the cup

A short instruction on the cup does more than a poster on the wall. People read it at the moment they finish the drink.

Keep it to a few words, such as a reminder to empty the cup and use the cup bin. A small arrow or bin icon next to the text helps it stand out from the logo.

We show the message on the cup mock-up in your proof, so you can check it is readable at arm's length.

• Place the message on the back so the logo stays clean at the front
• Use the same wording on your bin signs
• Avoid broad claims, and stick to what the customer should do
• Print it on every size so the message is consistent

Board colour and design

Our photos show recyclable cups in plain white, soft blue and natural tones. A simple layout leaves room for the bin message without the cup looking busy.

White board gives sharp, bright colours, while kraft has a natural brown look. If you want the brown finish, compare it with our plain brown paper cups before you decide.

Leave a clear patch of board for the bin message when you plan the layout. Squeezing it in after the logo is placed usually makes it too small to read.

Choosing the wall for recyclable cups

Single wall cups use the least board and suit cold drinks and short hot serves. They are a light, simple choice for a busy counter.

For hot drinks that people hold for a while, a double wall cup that stays cool avoids the need for a separate sleeve. That means one item in the bin instead of two.

Ripple wall cups give a firm grip and a textured feel. Whichever wall you choose, ask for the recyclable lining option on the same quote.

Lids, sleeves and what goes in which bin

Lids are often made from a different material from the cup, so they may need a different bin. Tell customers which is which, or they will put everything together.

Sleeves add another item to sort, so a double wall cup can be the tidier option for hot drinks. Our page on lids sized to fit our cups helps you match lids to cup sizes.

Stirrers and straws are worth a thought too. Fewer extra pieces means fewer chances of the wrong item ending up in the cup bin.

Setting up the counter and bins

The cup is only half of the system. A clearly marked bin close to where people finish their drinks makes a bigger difference than any lining.

Brief your staff on what goes where, so they can answer customer questions. When the cup, the bin sign and the staff all say the same thing, people tend to follow it.

Check the bins after a busy day for the first few weeks. What you find inside shows whether the message on the cup is working.

Ordering recyclable cups

Every order gets free design help and a free digital proof, revised until you are happy. Printing takes 4 to 6 working days after approval, and tracked delivery takes 2 to 3 working days.

To start, contact our team about lining options or send your sizes and artwork through the quote form.

1. Choose your cup sizes and wall type
2. Ask for the recyclable lining option
3. Add your logo and bin message
4. Approve the proof and wait for tracked delivery

Mistakes that undo recyclable cups

A recyclable cup only helps if it reaches the right place. These are the gaps we see most often.

Most of these are fixed with a quick call to your collector and a clear line of text on the cup.

• Ordering recyclable cups with no cup bin on site
• Printing a recycling symbol without any instruction
• Letting lids and cups go into the same bin when they should not
• Using wording on the cup that your collector does not agree with
• Leaving the lining question until after the proof