Can You Recycle Coffee Cups? Yes—If They’re Paper

 If you’re grabbing coffee on the go in Sioux Falls, here’s what you need to know: paper coffee cups are accepted in your recycling bin, as long as they’re empty and properly prepared.

These cups used to be considered non-recyclable because of their thin plastic lining, which helps prevent leaks. But with today’s processing capabilities, that lining can be separated, and the high-quality paper fiber can be recovered to make new products like tissue, boxes, and even more cups.

How to Recycle Paper Coffee Cups:

1. Throw away the lid, straw, and stir stick. These are not accepted in single-stream recycling.
2. Make sure the cup is clean and empty. No leftover liquid.
3. Leave the cardboard sleeve on or remove it and recycle separately. Either option is fine.

What to Keep Out:

• Styrofoam cups – These are not recyclable and should go in the trash.
• Plastic iced coffee cups – Most of these are not accepted in the Sioux Falls recycling system.
• Cups with liquid or food residue – Always empty and rinse if needed.

What About Other Paper Take-Out Containers?

Other paper-based takeout containers may also be accepted if they are clean and empty. Containers with grease, food, or heavy coatings should go in the trash.

Not sure what goes in your bin? Use the BINfluencer Tool to look it up:
thebinfluencers.org/app-what-goes-where

When in doubt, keep it simple: clean, empty, and accepted. Let’s keep recycling working in Sioux Falls.