LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rumpke Waste and Recycling has added cups to its recycling program in the Louisville region, the company announced this week.
Effectively immediately, the company said it will begin accepting disposable paper, plastic and aluminum cups in curbside and dropbox programs. The recyclables collected by Rumpke are then transported to the company's regional recycling facility in Cincinnati.
"We take an upfront and honest approach to recycling, and only accept items we know will be recycled. We're thrilled to announce this addition to our program and remain committed to growing our recycling operation," said Jeff Snyder, Rumpke's director of recycling.
According to the company, the announcement comes as a result of "recent innovations in paper and plastic recycling" that have resulted in commitments from end-users to accept and recycle more material. Rumpke said paper mills have pledged to recycle paper cups and advancements in plastic recycling have increased in demand for additional types of plastic products.
Acceptable cups include paper and plastic beverage cups from fast-food establishments.
Here are more recycling guidelines:
- Plastic lids should be reattached to plastic cups.
- Plastic lids from paper cups should be removed and discarded.
- Straws and stoppers are not accepted.
- Colored Solo brand cups are not accepted. These cups are made from polystyrene and we currently do not have a secure, long-term end user for this material.
- Ceramic and glass cups are not accepted. In fact, they can be damaging to the glass recovery process.
- K-cups are not accepted.
- Cups are not accepted in Central Kentucky where Rumpke partners with the city of Lexington to process material.
Paper cups processed by Rumpke will be made into cardboard and paperboard products, plastic cups will be used to make new plastic containers and aluminum cups will be made into aluminum cans.
Rumpke customers can recycle the following items:
- Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs (butter, sour cream, cottage cheese tubs as well as yogurt and fruit and yogurt cups) and disposable plastic cups, NOT Solo cups
- Cartons
- Glass bottles and jars (any color)
- Aluminum cups and cans and steel cans
- Paper, paper board (cereal boxes, 12-pack containers, mail, etc.), cardboard and paper cups
The company asks all items be clean, empty and placed in recycling containers loose.