Starbucks does not recycle plastic cups it claims are ‘widely recyclable’, report says
A report by Beyond Plastics reveals that Starbucks' claims about the recyclability of its plastic cups are misleading. Researchers tracked cups placed in recycling bins and found none were sent to recycling facilities. Instead, the cups ended up in landfills, incinerators, or waste-transfer stations.
- ▪Beyond Plastics conducted an investigation tracking Starbucks' plastic cups to see if they were recycled.
- ▪Not one of the tracked cups ended up at a recycling facility, with many found in landfills or incinerators.
- ▪The report criticizes Starbucks for making deceptive claims about the recyclability of its plastic cups.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
A coffee drink with cold foam at a Starbucks location in New York on 17 August 2023. Photograph: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA coffee drink with cold foam at a Starbucks location in New York on 17 August 2023. Photograph: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesStarbucksStarbucks does not recycle plastic cups it claims are ‘widely recyclable’, report saysResearchers from watchdog group glued trackers to chain’s cups and found not one ended up at a recycling facilityNora NeusWed 20 May 2026 12.25 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIf you attach a GPS tracker to a “widely recyclable” plastic Starbucks cup and drop it in an in-store recycling bin, you might expect it to end up in a recycling plant, but environmental watchdog organization Beyond Plastics says…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from World news | The Guardian
