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.

Recording of the October 2024 FPI webinar featuring industry, MRF, and material processor representatives who are recycling plastic-based cup and container takeout packaging.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

The total number of U.S. paper mills accepting paper cups is now more than 40, marking “significant progress” since the end of last year.

Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation is asking residents to recycle their clean and empty paper cups and other takeout containers.

Two-thirds of foodservice packaging is for to-go orders and winds up back in consumers’ homes. FPI conducted a resident survey looking for insight to inform messaging around recycling and to home in on missed recovery opportunities.

In December 2023, FPI held a webinar that shared information on the effect of images, language and special instructions related to recycling take-out containers. We also learned about best practices and tools, and heard real-world examples of resident education from communities and haulers.

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FPI awarded Groot a communications grant to inform residents about newly added recyclable materials, emphasizing the inclusion of paper cups, and reiterating the importance of ensuring all recyclables are clean and empty before placing in recycling carts.

Following the installation of the robotic sorter, the City of Madison, Pellitteri, and FPI collaborated on a focused educational campaign aimed at informing residents and customers about the recent modifications to the recycling program.

ACC's longstanding partner mills readily accepted bales containing paper cups. FPI facilitated discussions between RMPF and the mills, and ACC broadened its list of acceptable items to include paper cups and paper take-out containers.

Leveraging FPI's track record of successful community partnerships as evidence of paper cup recyclability, and securing approval from St. Lucie's collaborating mills, the County began including paper cups in its mixed paper bales.

The County’s strong commitment to sustainability made it an ideal candidate to expand its recycling program to incorporate a range of foodservice items, like cups and containers, through an FPI Community Partnership.

Clark County began incorporating paper cups, along with a variety of other paper foodservice items, into its mixed paper bales. The MRF subsequently sold this high-quality fiber to local paper mills in the region, where it could be reprocessed into new products.