Starbucks does not recycle plastic cups it claims are ‘widely recyclable’, report says
Summary
A new report by the environmental group Beyond Plastics tracked Starbucks plastic cups labeled as "widely recyclable" and found that none were actually recycled. Instead, many cups ended up in landfills, incinerators, or other waste facilities, raising concerns about Starbucks' recycling claims.Key Facts
- Starbucks labeled their plastic cups as "widely recyclable" earlier in 2026.
- Beyond Plastics used Bluetooth trackers hidden inside cups to follow their path after disposal.
- None of the 53 tracked cups were sent to recycling plants; many went to landfills or incinerators.
- The plastic cups are made of polypropylene, which few facilities in the US can recycle.
- Only two commercial facilities in the US currently recycle this type of plastic.
- Beyond Plastics argues that accepting items for recycling does not guarantee they are actually recycled.
- The group recommends Starbucks switch to fiber-based cups and promote reusable cups instead.
- Plastic waste can be harmful to human health, linked to illnesses like respiratory problems and cancer.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.