Environment

Spotted Campaign

During November, the Environmental Advisory Committee members and the ESI Unit staff will be on the lookout for you. If you are spotted you will go in the draw to win one of three $165 coffee vouchers.

ESI_OneLessCup_Banner

How are disposable coffee cups a problem at UOW?

A waste audit conducted in May 2009 which examined UOW bins (excluding UniCentre bins) found that over 3000 disposable coffee cups were collected in less than 1 week. The disposable coffee cups were over 8% of waste by weight. If taken by volume this percentage is likely to be much higher. Because volume determines when a bin is emptied (when it is full) the sheer volume of cups contribute to the waste problem.

Disposable Coffee cups that are used at UOW are not recyclable and therefore contribute significantly to the amount of waste sent to landfill.

What sort of cup should I use?

Here is some information about the different cup options:

1. Biodegradable cups

Biodegradable cups are able to be composted so are a better environmental option than other disposable cups. However, they still need to be placed in the mixed waste bin as there currently are no composting facilities at UOW.

2. Disposable paper cups

Disposable paper cups are made from paper but are coated in a polyethyene lining to make it waterproof. These cups cannot be recycled due to that plastic coating and should be placed in the mixed waste bins.  Since they can't be recycled these cups contribute to landfill.

3. Styrofoam/polystyrene cups

Disposable coffee cups or takeaway food packaging made from polystyrene or styrofoam cannot be recycled in NSW so contribute to landfill. Other items such as fruit boxes and packaging made from polystyrene or styrofoam can be recycled in NSW but not locally here in Wollongong.  Polystyrene or styrofoam also doesn't really break down completely. It does breakdown into smaller bits but that's about all. These small pieces have been found to cause problems in our marine environment by being ingested by animals.  

4.  Bring your own cup (BYO Cup)

If you bring your own cup, that means you won't throw one away, which means no landfill and wasted resources. It doesn't matter what sort of cup as long as your cup is reusable.  Often when we go for a coffee we grab a friend, jacket or someone else's order, some money and off we go so why not add a cup to that equation.

One less Cup Campaign

As part of the campaign to reduce the number of disposable coffee cups being used on campus we have signed up nearly all coffee vendors at the Wollongong Campus to the 'One Less Cup' Partner program which means they offer you a discount when you use a reusable cup (doesn't matter what sort).
This applies to:

  • Delish Bar
  • Out to Lunch
  • Panizzi
  • Rush
  • SixtySeven dining

In addition some outlets are also selling reusable coffee cups.

What is a Keep Cup?

Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit have been using a "Keep Cup" in our various environmental campaigns and we have given away hundreds to staff and students at UOW. Here is some information about it below:

  • It is made from #5 Polypropylene (the safe grade food plastic)
  • The cup itself is recyclable at the end of its life
  • Sealable and lightweight
  • No grooves or twist tops so easy to clean
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Microwave safe just don't microwave it with the lid on!!!
  • Fits in car cup holders and those cardboard take-away trays
  • A handy plug rotates 90 degrees to open or close the sipper hole completely for safety
  • Allows you to write in your favourite coffee or be written on in texta
  • The cups seen around will be a standard medium size (340ml) but there are marking inside of the cup for barrista's to measure shots and small size coffees
  • It is made from #5 Polypropylene (the safe grade food plastic)
  • The cup is recyclable at the end of its life
  • The cups life is estimated around 4-5 years
  • If you find it's ready to retire at this point simply remove the silicon plug and band and pop the cup and lid into your yellow top recycling bin
  • In addition, by weight, it takes 21 plastic disposable lids to make one KeepCup with a lid and plug
  • The issues around renewable and non-renewable resources are very complex, but it is always best to go back to the basic principles of reuse.

Where can I get a Keep Cup?

Some of the outlets at Wollongong Campus have them for sale and they sell out fast so ask your favourite outlet if they have them.

From time to time throughout the year the Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit will make them available as prizes and giveaways for various environmental campaigns.  One such campaign was the Coffee for a Cause 2012 campaign.

Coffee vendors

If you are a UOW coffee vendor at any of UOW campuses and want to become involved in the One Less Cup Partner program contact the Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit (ESI) at environment_team@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 2 November, 2012