Takeaway Coffee Cups: What They’re Made Of, How to Dispose of Them & What to Look For

Takeaway coffee cups are often seen as a simple solution to the growing waste problem caused by takeaway coffee. But not all cups are created equal. Many cups labelled “eco-friendly” or “compostable” still end up in landfill.

In this guide, we explain what compostable coffee cups are made from, how they should be disposed of, and what certifications actually matter, so you can make informed, environmentally responsible choices. Australians love takeaway coffee, but the environmental cost of single-use cups is often misunderstood. While many cups look recyclable or compostable, the reality is more complex.

In this article we’ll answer the following questions:

• How concerned are Australians about waste
• How much waste takeaway coffee cups create
• The environmental impact from single-use plastics
• Whether some single-use cups are better than others
• What takeaway coffee cups are made from
• Why cups are disposed of incorrectly
• What governments are doing to reduce single-use plastics?
• How to understand takeaway coffee cup labels
• How to dispose of takeaway coffee cups safely
• How do Pak360 coffee cups compare

How concerned are Australians about waste?

Australians are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of waste. In a recent YouGov survey of 1,000 Australians, 61% supported phasing out single-use plastic takeaway coffee cups, and said they would prefer their coffee cup to be fully compostable.

Most Australians genuinely want to do the right thing. Research shows that people actively try to recycle and sort their waste correctly. However, despite good intentions, confusion around recycling and composting rules remains a major problem, particularly when it comes to takeaway coffee cups.

How much waste do takeaway coffee cups create?

To understand the scale of the issue, it helps to look at the numbers.

• Clean Up Australia estimates that takeaway hot beverage cups contribute around 60,000 kilograms of plastic waste each year in Australia.
• Sustainability Victoria reports that Australians dispose of 1.8 billion single-use coffee cups annually, with around 90% ending up in landfill.

What is the environmental impact of single-use plastic?

Most takeaway coffee cups are made from paperboard, which is biodegradable on its own. The problem lies in the plastic lining used to prevent leaks.

When cups with plastic linings end up in landfill or become litter, they break down very slowly and release microplastics. These microplastics can enter waterways, soil, and the air, impacting marine life, drinking water, ecosystems, and ultimately human health through the food chain.

Are some takeaway coffee cups better for the environment than others?

Although takeaway coffee cups often look the same, they are not all made from the same materials. This difference plays a major role in how, or whether, a cup can be recycled or composted.

The best single-use coffee cups are those that:

• Break down completely without harming the environment
• Are made from renewable materials
• Are certified for composting in appropriate systems

Understanding what your cup is made from is key.

What are takeaway coffee cups made from?

The main structure of a takeaway coffee cup is paperboard. The issue lies in the inner lining, which can be made from different types of plastic.

Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene is the most common lining used in takeaway coffee cups.

• Cups with PE linings are technically recyclable
• However, the lining must be separated from the paperboard
• Most recycling facilities cannot process these cups
• PE-lined cups often clog recycling machinery

As a result, most PE-lined cups end up in landfill, where they can take 20–30 years to break down.

Bioplastics

Some takeaway cups use bioplastics such as PLA or PHA. These plastics are derived from renewable plant-based materials like corn, sugarcane, or bamboo.

Bioplastics generally:

• Require less energy to manufacture
• Break down faster than traditional plastics
• Can be compostable under the right conditions

However, different bioplastics behave very differently at the end of their life.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

• Made from plant-based materials
• Compostable only in commercial composting facilities
• Requires high temperatures to break down
• Not suitable for home composting

PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate)

• Produced through bacterial fermentation
• Biodegradable in soil and marine environments
• Suitable for home composting under the right conditions
• Considered a next-generation bioplastic with significant environmental benefits

Why are cups being disposed of incorrectly?

Because coffee cups are made from different materials that require different processing methods, correct disposal can be confusing.

Terms like recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable are often misunderstood or used vaguely. For example:

• PLA-lined cups may say “compostable” but require commercial composting
• Many councils do not accept these cups in FOGO bins
• Composting systems vary between councils

This inconsistency leads to widespread confusion, resulting in cups being placed in the wrong bins, contaminating recycling and composting streams, and contributing to the fact that around 90% of cups still end up in landfill.

What is the government doing about single-use plastics?

Australian state governments have gradually phased out some single-use plastics, including plastic bags and straws. However, Western Australia is currently the only state to ban single-use non-compostable coffee cups, effectively prohibiting PE-lined cups.

One reason nationwide bans have not been implemented is that takeaway coffee remains extremely popular. Around 23% of coffees sold in Australian cafés are takeaway, and while reusable cups are growing in popularity, most consumers still rely on disposable options.

The challenge is replacing problematic products with viable, practical alternatives. Not simply banning them without a solution.

How do I understand the labels on my coffee cup?

Most takeaway coffee cups include information about materials and disposal instructions. If a cup says its lining is “plant-based,” it is likely a bioplastic, but that does not automatically mean it is compostable.

Look for these certifications:

• AS 4736 – Certified for commercial composting
• AS 5810 – Certified for home composting

If AS 5810 is not present, the cup should not go in a home compost. Importantly, bioplastics are only compostable if they carry the appropriate certification.

How do I dispose of my takeaway coffee cup safely?

Always check the label on the underside of the cup.

• If no certification is present, follow the disposal instructions carefully
• Be cautious of vague terms like “biodegradable” or “eco-friendly”
• If instructions are unclear, place the cup in the general waste bin to avoid contaminating recycling or compost systems

Some cafés provide dedicated bins for compostable cups. These cups are collected and processed in commercial composting facilities designed to handle them. When in doubt, ask the café how their cups should be disposed of.

How do Pak360 coffee cups stack up?

Pak360 coffee cups are designed to eliminate confusion and reduce waste.

• All Pak360 coffee cups are fully compostable
• Cups are lined with PLA or PHA bioplastic
• All cups are certified to AS 4736 for commercial composting
• New PHA-lined cups offer home composting flexibility

In addition to supplying cups and containers, Pak360 offers a composting collection service, ensuring compostable products complete their full lifecycle in a commercial composting system. Not in landfill.

That means when you choose a Pak360 coffee cup, it can genuinely return to the earth, completing the full 360-degree sustainability loop.