Simply Cups and pioneer partner 7-Eleven have announced two Australian-first recycling initiatives. From today, plastic straws can now be recycled in-store and the world’s first reusable coffee cup made out of takeaway coffee cups, the rCUP, will be available for purchase.
Australians can now recycle their plastic straws along with all takeaway coffee and Slurpee-type cups at dedicated cup collection bins in over 200 7-Eleven stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
7-Eleven partnered with Simply Cups in March, launching a recycling revolution aiming to rescue takeaway cups from landfill. Since Simply Cups launched the program, 1.48 million cups have been collected and are being turned into car park bumpers, hospital trays and other products.
Angus McKay, 7-Eleven, Chief Executive Officer said that 7-Eleven is committed to working with Simply Cups and innovators to recycle and upcycle plastic straws, takeaway cups and other waste materials.
“We believe we have a responsibility to take the lead and find a solution to plastic ending up in landfill. A problem this size requires multiple solutions and we want to drive a behaviour change and help people dispose of their takeaway cups and straws responsibly.
“Our goal is to change the way the community thinks about recycling and we have seen that consumers are getting onboard. We encourage all Australians to recycle any brand of takeaway coffee cups or straws at the dedicated recycling bins at 7-Eleven stores,” continued McKay.
The world’s first reusable coffee cup made from coffee cups
Cementing the company’s commitment to environmentally focused initiatives, 7-Eleven is also launching the new rCUP (rrp$15.00) – the world’s first reusable coffee cup that is made from takeaway coffee cups.
The rCUP is made from six recycled takeaway coffee cups, collected from the Simply Cups UK program. The rCUP is 100% leak proof and fully insulated ensuring that hot drinks stay warm for longer.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the ‘push push’ mechanism allows for a quick, simple drinking experience when you’re on the go – even with one hand. The new rCUP is available at 7-Eleven stores.
Rob Pascoe, Founder of Closed Loop’s Simply Cups said to manufacture the rCUPs locally we need the community to recycle their takeaway cups and straws.
“We have a new partnership with a company that has developed cutting-edge technology to recycle plastic waste into a dough-like plastic material that can be moulded into new products including rCUPs, furniture and car park bumpers.
“This locally developed technology is the first of its kind in the world and to continue to develop it we need the community’s help to recycle their takeaway cups and plastic straws.”
7-Eleven and Simply Cups are calling for all Australians to visit their local 7-Eleven store to recycle their takeaway cups, straws and lids and consider a reusable rCUP to help protect the environment. To find your nearest 7-Eleven recycling station go to 7eleven.com.au/cuprescue.