Huhtamaki, a global manufacturer of packaging products for food and beverages, has announced plans for a new recycling initiative for used paper coffee cups in Gosport, the first of its kind in the UK. The scheme is set to launch early in 2018.
Working in partnership with Gosport Borough Council, Huhtamaki will trial an easily accessible and cost effective collection and recycling service for paper cups, similar to those manufactured by Huhtamaki in the town. The scheme will remove cups from the general waste stream and ensure they are recycled rather than going to landfill.
Specialist cup recycling bins will be placed at two council-owned premises: the town hall and the leisure centre. The bins will accept used cups and lids, which will be recycled into new products such as garden furniture, park benches and flower tubs that could be used in and around Gosport. The aim is to extend the scheme in the future to include collection points at local businesses where paper cups are used or disposed of, such as high street coffee shops restaurants, offices and even local transport providers.
Cllr Mark Hook, leader of the council, said: “I’m delighted that we can work with Huhtamaki on this. We’re one of the first boroughs to try such a scheme, and it’s a great opportunity to show how councils and manufacturers can be ambitious in finding innovative ways to recycle. I look forward to working with Huhtamaki on this important issue.”
Neil Whittall, global category director for speciality coffee at Huhtamaki said:”Huhtamaki has worked on a number of recycling initiatives with customers, consumers and charitable organisations but this is the first where our primary partner in the scheme is a local authority. We are looking forward to working with the team and to contributing towards increased recycling rates in Gosport Borough.”
Huhtamaki, which has two manufacturing sites in the town, will underwrite the cup collection and recycling scheme and more information will be shared as the plans develop. It is hoped that Gosport residents and local businesses will be inspired to get involved and engage with the recycling initiative.
