Simply Cups
A solution to the take-away coffee cup crisis
Simply Cups is Australia’s largest paper cup recycling program that saves cups from landfill! Simply Cups is a dedicated paper cup waste stream which helps separate difficult-to-recycle paper cups from other waste streams, allowing them to be collected and recycled.
Simply Cups collect cups, and work with innovative new technologies capable of transforming used cups into new products such as roads, reusable coffee cups, drink trays and lightweight concrete slabs.
Simply Cups has saved ...
cups from landfill. Stacked end-to-end that’s further than the distance from Melbourne to Northern Queensland!
*accurate as of 8th September 2023
THE PROBLEM
1 billion coffee cups end up in landfill
Each year, more than 1.8 billion hot drink cups are used in Australia.
Paper cups, such as coffee cups, are difficult to recycle as they have a waterproof lining. Most Australian recycling facilities, or material resource facilities do not accept paper cups because of the waterproof lining.
60% of Australians* believe that coffee cups can recycled in kerbside recycling. This also leads to high levels of contamination in kerbside recycling.
Simply Cups was created to end waste and find practical solutions to recycling paper cups including coffee cups and take-away soft drink cups.
*RecycleMate, 2022
THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO ...
the weight of a hippo
every hour!
(~1,500kg)
the height of Mount Everest
every 45 minutes!
(8,849km)
HOW IT WORKS
Simply Cups
- Collect your paper cups (not just coffee cups!)
- Take your paper cups to any of our Simply Cups Locations
- Simply Cups will collect paper cups from collection locations
- Simply Cups process your paper cups and upcycle them into reusable coffee cups, reusable drink trays, recycled roads, lightweight concrete slabs and more!
Recycled products from cups collected by Simply Cups
Simply Cups has partnered with a number of technologies to recycle paper cups.
ARE YOU A BUSINESS?
Become a Cup Collector
Become a Cup Collector and collect cups for Simply Cups.
Setting up a dedicated paper cup recycling program at your office, location or store has been proven to encourage recycling, reduce your cup wastage, create a sustainable space and promote environmentally friendly behaviour change amongst clients and customers.
ARE YOU A SCHOOL?
Join 7-Eleven Cup Rescue Schools Program
Lead school sustainability with our free 7-Eleven Cup Rescue Schools Program.
Simply Cups and 7-Eleven will donate a Cup Collection unit to your school to collect cups. Students, teachers and families are encouraged to bring cups to school for collection. Cups are then taken to a participating 7-Eleven. Simply Cups and 7-Eleven will recycle your cups.
Pioneering Partner
As a Pioneering Partner, 7-Eleven actively supports the global challenge of cups ending up in landfill. Simply Cups is able to explore ongoing technologies, research and expand cup recycling locations with the support of 7-Eleven.
Find a participating Cup Collection at any participating 7-Eleven store.
Proud Cup Collectors
Simply Cups progress
Over the past 5 years, Simply Cups has continued to collect more cups year on year. Without the help of our cup collectors and all those who are collecting their cups to recycle – this wouldn’t be possible!
Simply Cups continue to reach more individuals so we can continue to save as many cups from landfill as possible.
The graph on the right demonstrates current data on cups collected by Simply Cups. We collect cups from office buildings, schools and councils, 7-Eleven and shopping centres.
Simply Cups FAQS
What else we do
Circularity is at the core of what we do.
As your sustainability partner, we find solutions suited to your business. Simply Cups is a closed loop example that has been created based on user behaviours and a commonly used item that is largely contributing to waste and litter.
Let’s work together to find a solution for your business.
