Manitobans can now recycle paper cups in their blue bins. (MMSM / HANDOUT)
Manitobans can now recycle empty paper cups in their blue bins, including coffee cups, fountain drink cups and other hot and cold paper beverage cups.
The change follows a review led by Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM), in collaboration with the City of Winnipeg, the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA)/Recycle Everywhere and recycling service providers.
“This is an important step forward for recycling in Manitoba,” said Christa Rust, executive director of MMSM. “Adding paper cups to the blue bin removes a long-standing exception and makes recycling simpler, clearer, and more convenient.”
Paper cups have historically been difficult to recycle because of their liquid-resistant coating and dyes, but MMSM and its partners have confirmed the cups can now be sorted with mixed paper and recycled through Manitoba’s existing system.
To recycle a paper cup, Manitobans are asked to empty it, remove the lid and place the cup in the blue bin. Coffee cup lids are not accepted in Manitoba’s recycling system.
