Back to List

Ready to recycle: What to do with disposable cups, straws and utensils

Woman holding a paper coffee cup

With many types of disposable cups, straws and utensils available, trying to figure out how to dispose of them can be confusing. Ramsey County has sorted it out for you.

To-go cups, like those from a coffee shop or fast food restaurant, generally should be placed in the trash. Here are the details (and exceptions):

  • All Styrofoam™ cups should be placed in the trash.
  • Most plastic cups should be placed in the trash. Plastic cups with a #5 on them can be placed in curbside recycling.
  • Most paper to-go cups cannot be recycled or composted because they contain a plastic or wax coating to prevent leaks.
  • Some paper or plastic to-go cups are BPI certified compostable and will specifically state this on the cups. These cups are accepted at the food scraps collection sites.
  • Plastic to-go lids with a #5 on them can be placed in curbside recycling. Lids that are BPI certified compostable are accepted as food scraps.
  • Coffee sleeves are generally made of cardboard and can be placed in curbside recycling.

Plastic straws should be placed in the trash.

  • Some straws are BPI certified compostable and generally state this on the straw wrapper or straw itself. These straws are accepted as food scraps.

Plastic utensils should be placed in the trash.

  • Some utensils are BPI certified compostable and generally state this on the utensil wrapper or the utensil itself. These utensils are accepted at the food scraps collection sites.

Still not sure?

When in doubt, throw it out. It is best to avoid contaminating the food scraps or recycling collection. So, if you just don’t know, throw your disposable item in the trash.

Wondering how to dispose of or recycle other items? Visit Ramsey County’s A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide to learn more.

Posted on Sunday, January 31, 2021 - 8:31 a.m.