Paper Cups Now Accepted in Mendocino and Lake Counties’ Recycling Programs

C&S Waste Solutions, the provider of residential and commercial recycling services in Mendocino and Lake Counties, is excited to announce that hot and cold paper cups are now accepted as part of its recycling program. This expansion offers 76,500 households and all local businesses the opportunity to recycle their clean and empty paper cups, keeping them out of landfills and allowing them to be converted into new products.

This development was made possible through a partnership with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), marking FPI’s first community partnership in California. This update to the recycling program highlights C&S Waste Solutions’ ongoing efforts to broaden recycling options and contribute to more comprehensive waste reduction strategies.

Recent legislative actions in California have emphasized the need for improved waste management and higher recycling rates. By aligning with state laws and partnering with organizations like FPI, Mendocino and Lake Counties are not only enhancing their local waste management practices but also supporting statewide efforts to improve waste reduction and recycling.

“C&S Waste Solutions is proud to lead the way in sustainable practices by expanding our recycling services to include paper cups,” said Michelle Goodman, C&S Waste Solutions Outreach Manager. “This partnership with the Foodservice Packaging Institute represents a significant milestone for our community and for the state of California as we work together to meet the state’s recycling goals and beyond.”

Over the past seven years, cities across the U.S. have added paper cups to their residential recycling programs. C&S Waste Solutions is now proud to join this growing effort through its collaboration with FPI. Since 2017, FPI has been instrumental in expanding paper cup recycling through community education grants, working with local material recovery facilities and paper mills to integrate paper cups into curbside recycling.

“We are thrilled to support recycling efforts in the Mendocino and Lake County region and lay the groundwork for additional partnership opportunities in the state,” said Natha Dempsey, president of FPI. “Our partnership with C&S Waste Solutions is a significant step in our efforts to include much sought-after paper fiber in recycling programs across California.”

C&S Waste Solutions will launch an educational campaign to raise awareness about the inclusion of paper cups in recycling and to teach residents best practices. This includes emptying any liquid residue, tossing the lid in the trash, and recycling the clean and empty cup. Once collected, the paper cups are baled with other paper products at the company’s materials recovery facility in the city of Ukiah and sent to paper mills. The high-quality fiber is then used to produce new paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, and even new paper cups.

To learn more about C&S Waste Solutions’ recycling initiative and see a list of all acceptable recyclables, visit www.candswaste.com.