Global Green USA to Pilot Paper Cup Recycling Initiative

Global Green USA is teaming up with the largest cross country meet in the United States. So the Portage Invite in Portage, Michigan, to put recyclable paper cups to the test. That’s both for performance and for recyclability at a local paper mill. Using cups developed by Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR) member LBP Manufacturing. All that have passed a recyclability protocol developed by CoRR member Western Michigan University (WMU). Also Global Green USA will coordinate their use. Then collection and recycling at a paper mill in Kalamazoo, MI operated by Graphic Packaging.

Recovery and Recycling

The successful recovery and recycling of these cups will represent a key step in identifying best systems for keeping valuable paper fiber in the market. Especially as high-quality products and out of landfills.

According to the EPA, 5.6 million tons of food service packaging is landfilled in the US each year. Thereby releasing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to six coal-fired power plants. Since 2009, Global Green’s Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR) program has been working to divert these valuable materials into new products.

Paper Mills

Paper mills that serve the regions near the road races are likewise interested in determining whether the cup items will prove a good source of fiber.

“We’re eager to get new supplies of recycled domestic feedstock and support the paper industry in the US,” said Mike Farrell, Vice President – Recycled Mill Division for Graphic Packaging International, whose mill will be accepting the cups. “Recycling cups can be challenging, and we believe these pilots can demonstrate that cups that are designed for recyclability can be brought to our paper mill. We’re glad to work with Global Green USA and road races on this important initiative.”

CoRR member LBP Manufacturing donated the cups, which are commercially available and designed with sustainability in mind, for the race event.

“Our goal is to show that it is possible to make high-quality, effective cups that are also designed for recovery at recycled paper mills,” said Thomas Fu, their Vice President of Global Innovation. “We are excited to provide these cups, and participate in pilots that can build the system for their recovery, so that brand owners and customers alike can know they can dispose of these cups responsibly. It’s good business, and good for the planet.”

Source: Global Green USA