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AI camera allows TFC Recycling to expand program to include paper (Copy)
TFC Recycling acquired new AI technology that can separate paper products from all other items enabling more than 500,000 households in cities like Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to recycle paper cups, containers, and packaging.
Latest Updates to ReMA’s ISRI Specifications Include Paper Cups
ReMA’s ISRI Specifications to include the board-approved addition of paper cups to the allowable commodities in the inbound residential single-stream and inbound residential dual-stream specifications.
City of Austin Expands Recycling to Include Paper Cups
The City of Austin now accepts paper cups and food and beverage cartons and in their blue curbside recycling carts.
Paper Cup End Markets
The number of mills accepting paper cups is growing. Check out our list of confirmed markets for paper cups across North America.
Nebraska city to accept paper cups in curbside bins
The city of Omaha recently added paper take-out cups to its list of accepted items for recycling, with locally owned First Star Recycling leading the way in the resident-driven effort.
You can now recycle paper cups, containers in Hampton Roads, VA
TFC recently announced it can also accept paper drink carriers, cups and containers such as those that hold coffee, soup and soda.
Georgia-Pacific Opens More Opportunities for Paper Cup Recycling
Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River mill in Rincon, Georgia, now accepts polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups in its mixed paper stock for recycling. It’s the third Georgia-Pacific facility to begin accepting PE-coated cups.
New Item Added to List of What Can be Recycled in Spartanburg County
April 16, 2025, Spartanburg County, SC, announced it will now accept paper cups at recycling facilities. The county is the first community in SC to partner with Foodservice Packaging Institute to make this possible.
Community Partnership | TFC Recycling
Over 500,000 households in the Hampton Roads region of Virgina, can now recycle hot and cold paper cups as part of their recycling program.
Making the case for polycoated paper recovery
“There’s a lot of domestic mills looking for more fiber…that’s where paper cups come into play.”
Webinar Recording: Compostable Takeout Containers in Residential Curbside Programs
Recording of the January 2025 FPI webinar featuring industry, community, and composter representatives who are including compostable packaging in residential composting programs.
“Big Ten” Action Areas Emerge from System-Wide Compost and Compostable Packaging Circularity Event
The strategic plan and action items that emerged from the Improving the Circularity of Compostables and Compost event are part of a two-year systems change effort that now moves into a broad activation phase, inviting all participants in the supply chain to become involved.
Webinar Recording: Plastic Cup & Container Recycling Update
Recording of the October 2024 FPI webinar featuring industry, MRF, and material processor representatives who are recycling plastic-based cup and container takeout packaging.
Keeping Takeout Out of the Trash
To better understand the place of foodservice packaging in residential composting programs, FPI conducted a study of diverse US curbside programs and developed case studies of eight residential curbside collection programs that accept foodservice packaging — four in California, two in Minnesota, one in Washington, and one in Texas.
Residential Composting & Foodservice Packaging: Eight Program Case Studies
This study examines the diversity of existing residential curbside collection programs for food scraps and compostable packaging. FPI analyzed eight exemplary programs to gain a deeper understanding of their key features, identify the main challenges they face, and highlight their successful strategies.
Press Release: Program Case Studies in Residential Composting & Foodservice Packaging
FPI analyzed eight existing residential curbside collection programs for food scraps and compostable packaging to gain a deeper understanding of their key features, identify the main challenges they face, and highlight their successful strategies.
Rumpke to begin curbside pickup of PET clamshells
Starting Nov. 1, Rumpke’s residential and commercial customers in central Ohio and parts of northern and southeast Ohio will be able to include clear plastic carry-out containers, as well as those from berries, lettuce and eggs.
Henderson County Public Schools’ Composting Program for Food Scraps and Compostable Foodservice Packaging Enhanced
The pilot composting program diverted 38 tons in year one and 47 tons in year two, including items like compostable paper trays, containers, and napkins. The inclusion of these compostable items in the program assisted in capturing more food scraps and further reduced quantities of landfilled packaging material.
Webinar Recording: Recycling Pizza Boxes, Paper Cups, and other Paper-Based Takeout Containers
Recording of the July 2024 FPI webinar featuring MRF, paper mill, and community representatives who are recycling pizza boxes, paper cups, and other paper-based takeout packaging.
Coffee cups are now accepted for recycling in Toronto
From the 7/4/24 CBC article: Paper beverage cups lined with plastic, for both hot and cold drinks, are now accepted for recycling at home (including in apartment buildings), long-term care homes, retirement homes and elementary and high schools in the City of Toronto. The cup recycling program is expected to be expanded to all of Ontario by 2026, and to similar containers such as ice cream cups.