Reducing Paper Cups

We are working to reduce the number of paper cups used and discarded on campus as they put our waste management system under considerable strain. While the University does not send any waste to landfill, ensuring efficient recycling on campus is part of the Circular Economy principles as detailed in the University's Circular Economy Plan.

Paper cups are often mistakenly perceived to be recyclable, and therefore placed in our recycling bins and often whilst they still contain liquids. Paper cups (and liquid) make it harder (if not impossible) for our waste contractor to separate the materials we collect for recycling. Waste that cannot be recycled is converted into a refuse derived fuel, which is a more expensive and environmentally less beneficial process (albeit, still much better than landfill).

When disposing of a single-use cup, make sure to use a designated bin for cups and liquids whenever available.

Reducing the amount of paper cups used and disposed of at GCU is the only cost effective way of limiting the impact they have on our waste management system and the environment.

To help achieve this, BaxterStorey (the University’s catering contractor), have introduced a 30p charge (starting September 8, 2025) on every single-use, disposable cup used to purchase a hot drink from any of the on-campus catering outlets. This has replaced the previous 20p charge on disposable cups. For more information please speak to any member of the catering team or drop us a line.

For those interested, this article in The Guardian provides a good overview of the scale and environmental challenges presented by single-use paper cups.