How Do You Properly Dispose of Red Solo Cups?
At this point, red solo cups have become a party standard. Whether you are a high school student, college freshman, or intern, you’ve seen these cups at several parties, and with good cause. They are pretty, light, and sturdy.
But as we all know, it’s quite easy to end up with an abundance of these cups, especially after a party. So how are you supposed to dispose of these cups? Can you recycle them? Or are they compostable?
These are the questions we are going to answer today.
Can you recycle red solo cups?
Yes, you can recycle red solo cups. However, they aren’t accepted in all recycling programs. Fortunately, Terracycle and other recycling companies accept them.
Why are red solo cups not recyclable in some places?
Since red solo cups are made of number 6 plastic, they are hard to recycle. That’s why they aren’t accepted at some recycling facilities. Other materials made of this type of plastic are Styrofoam and toys.
Are red solo cups compostable?
No, red solo cups can’t be composted. In fact, they take 450 to 1000 years to break down.
What happens to red solo cups if they aren’t properly disposed of?
If they aren’t properly disposed of, red solo cups can break down into microplastics and leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water bodies. Ultimately, these toxins can end up in the bodies of animals and humans, adversely affecting their health.
How do you properly dispose of red solo cups?
The best way to dispose of red solo cups is to recycle them. This is the only way to ensure that they don’t pollute the environment and actually get made into something else.
How to reuse red solo cups
There are several ways to reuse red solo cups. These include:
- As paint holders
If you love painting, you don’t have to use a full-size tray for small touch-ups. You can easily use one of your red solo cups to hold paint for this purpose. - To amplify sound from your phone
If you don’t have a speaker but want to amplify the sound coming from your phone, you can use a red solo cup to do the trick. - To keep your cupcakes from getting squished
If your cupcakes keep getting squished, here’s a trick that can help you out – place each cupcake in a red solo cup. This will keep them from getting squished even if you travel for long periods. - Plant new seeds
If you’ve been thinking of starting an indoor garden, your used red solo cups can come in handy. In each, you can add some potting soil, water, and seeds. Once seedlings start sprouting, you can start taking the cups outside for a short period every day. When they’re ready, you can then let the plants stay outside overnight.
Opt for reusable non-plastic cups
If you truly want to live a sustainable life, you are better off using reusable non-plastic cups. The more plastic you eliminate from your routine, the better!