driving paper cup recycling: education

cardiff METROPOLITAN university

Who’s involved? 
Cardiff Metropolitan University, partnering with Keep Wales Tidy, is leading the way in paper cup recycling with its ‘Cardiff Cup Project’. The project is part funded by PCRRG members and covers research, a public education campaign and the installation of coffee cup recycling bins in key locations across the campus.

Launched in January 2019, the project focuses on increasing recycling rates and boosting recycling on the go, reducing litter from single use cups in Cardiff., with all four on-campus cafés taking part in the trial.

A large, conspicuous cup-shaped bin was placed in the most popular café location and three deluxe style bins at the other locations. Eye-catching messaging aimed at the student demographic was distributed in the cafés and key locations on campus to encourage the behaviour of consumers to change, based on science nudge theories and psychology research.

​What’s the impact? 
Keep Wales Tidy has reported that the first results point to a huge increase in coffee cup recycling across campus, with more consumers using the dedicated recycling bins and a decrease in paper cups being deposited in general recycling bins.

“We are delighted that our trial has led to such positive results at Cardiff Metropolitan University. It is clear that staff and students want to do the right thing when it comes to caring for the environment. With ongoing support from the PCRRG for Phase 2, we can help ensure coffee cup recycling is made as easy as possible for everyone at the university.”
Hanna Jones, Keep Wales Tidy 

Where next? 
As a result of the successful trial results, the project moved to Phase 2 in September 2019, with an increased number of bins placed around campus, in a bid to encourage a culture of coffee cup recycling not just in the café.

How to get involved:  If you are a retailer, FM provider or in charge of a large site such as a city centre, university or transport hub, there are a number of organisations that can help you get started with coffee cup recycling. Suggestions can be found at www.cuprecyclingscheme.co.uk or contact the PCRRG who will happily signpost you: www.prcrrg.uk