Three Creative Ways To Recycle Coffee Cups in BC

Disposable coffee cups for hot and cold beverages are recyclable across British Columbia thanks to RecycleBC. With millions of single-use cups ending up in landfills every year, it is important to recycle them the right way.

Many people are surprised to learn that coffee cups are not paper and are not compostable because of their plastic lining. Only the coffee cup sleeve belongs in paper recycling.

If you empty and rinse your coffee cup, most municipalities in BC accept it as a container in the blue box or curbside recycling program.

At Fleetwood Waste, we help businesses recycle millions of coffee cups, paper plates, and food containers every year. While curbside recycling is the best option, there are also creative ways to reuse coffee cups before recycling them.

Below are three simple and practical ideas to give coffee cups a second life.

Reuse Coffee Cup Lids as Cat Food Can Covers

A clever idea shared by a Reddit user in 2019 revealed that coffee cup lids fit perfectly on most cat food cans. This includes lids from popular brands like Tim Hortons, even with newer lid designs.

Why this works well:

• Keeps opened cat food fresh overnight

• Prevents odors in your refrigerator

• Reuses plastic lids that might otherwise be thrown away

This is an easy, practical reuse that saves both money and waste.

Reuse Paper Coffee Cups as Small Planters

Coffee cups make excellent starter planters for small plants and herbs. Their size is perfect for windowsills, desks, or small indoor spaces.

How to use them:

• Poke small drainage holes at the bottom

• Fill with soil and seeds

• Use popsicle sticks as plant labels and supports

Once the plants grow, you can transfer them to larger pots and then recycle the cup properly.

Use Coffee Cups for Crafts and Storage

Coffee cups of different sizes are great for craft projects and organization.

They work well as:

• Pencil and pen holders

• Crayon containers for kids

• Paintbrush or craft tool storage

Since coffee cups are familiar everyday items, they blend naturally into homes, classrooms, and creative spaces.

Why Reusing Before Recycling Matters in BC

While recycling through blue box programs is important, reusing items first reduces waste even more.

Every small action helps:

• Fewer items go to landfills

• Less energy is used to create new products

• Natural resources are preserved

As British Columbians, recycling is more than a habit—it is part of our shared responsibility to protect the environment we live in.

Before throwing something away, ask yourself:
“Can this be reused?”

That simple question is the first step toward being more environmentally responsible.