1: New Resin made out of paper coffee cups Technology

• Manufactured by  AShortWalk a new resin which is 40% stronger than conventional practice and made out of non-recyclable paper cups
• Resin can be molded into other products at high speeds
• Resin aims for a 50:50 ratio of paper to plastic
• by products such as plastic lids and straws can be added to the mix to create the resin

2. Problem Technology is Solving

• 7 million single use coffee cups are thrown out each day in the UK alone
• challenging to recycle because the cup is made out of a paper and plastic mix
• Cannot be recycled by ordinary paper waste process
• Most recycling facilities are not equipped to do this

3. Technology Stakeholders

• AShortWalk
• Nextek
• Imperial College London
• Companies such as Starbucks, Costa, and McDonalds
• Consumers of to-go hot beverages
• Simply Cups

4.  Implementing Technology

• Small scale role out with one of the companies that would be a seller of these hot beverages (i.e. Starbucks)
• Develop and build a recycling plant that would exclusively focus on this type of product re-purposing (plastic+paper to make resin)
• Full country role out in the UK with all major companies in the industry
• Potential for legislation to get involved upon successful implementation of the technology to the mass market

Article: http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/packaging/hannah_furlong/trending_flexible_plastic_pouches_coffee_cups_are_ready_recy