For some, coffee is a critical part of their day. But the popularity of the caffeinated beverage, prepared in a myriad of ways, also generates plenty of waste in the form of to-go coffee cups.

In the UK, according to The British Coffee Association, our neighbors across the pond consume 95 million cups of coffee a day. The ability to grab a coffee while out and about is essential in feeding the java monkey on our back, but it comes at the cost of often non-recyclable waste in the form of cups, lids, insulation sleeves, stirrers, and condiment sachets. Though referred to as “paper cups,” they are made of more than just paper, and they utilize a waterproof and heat-resistant plastic lining, making the mixed-material packaging nearly impossible to recycle.