K-Cups Recyclable? Explore Keurig’s Sustainability Efforts

From the Grounds Up: Keurig Sustainability Goals

Love the taste and convenience of Keurig K-Cups but concerned about their environmental impact? The good news is you don’t have to choose between great coffee and sustainability. Keurig offers recyclable K-Cups, and the company continues to invest in initiatives aimed at reducing waste and building a more sustainable future. In this post, we’ll explain how to properly recycle Keurig K-Cups and highlight the sustainability efforts Keurig has implemented to make a positive impact on the planet.

Learning About the K-Cycle & Recyclable K-Cups®

Many people assume that K-Cups® are not recyclable, but that’s no longer the case. In 2016, Keurig introduced recyclable K-Cups®, and recycling programs have since shown measurable success. Approximately 75% of a K-Cup pod by weight, primarily the coffee grounds, can be converted into compost, while the remaining 25% (including plastics and other components) can be transformed into recycled products.

Keurig emphasizes that sustainability goes beyond simply labeling products as recyclable; it’s about ensuring they are actually recycled. The company believes collaboration between brands and the recycling industry is key to helping communities recycle properly. That’s why Keurig partners with organizations like Emterra Group, a waste reduction company focused on transforming waste into reusable resources and helping partners achieve their sustainability goals.

Keurig also makes recycling K-Cup® pods simple through its K-Cycle program. Since launching, the program has diverted over 8.2 million pounds of material from landfills. The initiative encourages users to “sip, recycle, and repeat,” giving used pods a second life while reducing waste in a convenient way.

After brewing your favorite beverage, simply place the used K-Cup pods into a designated Keurig recovery bin. These bins are designed not only for collection but also help reduce Keurig’s carbon footprint. They come in two sizes: a small bin that holds up to 175 used K-Cup® pods and a large bin that holds up to 450 pods. To minimize shipping emissions, the bins are bundled in packs of five, made from 70% recycled content, and are fully recyclable after use.

Once the recovery bin is full, attach the prepaid shipping label and drop it off at any UPS location. The box is then returned to Keurig through the UPS Carbon-Neutral Program. After the package is received, Keurig works with g2 revolution®, an innovative recycling company, to process the pods.

The recycling process involves separating each K-Cup into its individual components, plastics, filter materials, aluminum, and coffee or tea grounds. The recyclable materials are processed accordingly, while the grounds are composted.

Compost created through this process helps enrich soil and supports crop growth. In turn, some of these crops are used to support food donation programs. In one year alone, the K-Cycle program helped provide close to half a million meals to people in need through the Feed the Future Program.  

Where to Buy Recyclable K-Cups Pods & Recovery Bins

Recyclable K-Cup pods are available in a wide variety of brands and delicious flavors from W.B. Mason. Popular options include:

• French vanilla
• Original blend
• Hot chocolate
• Green tea
• Chai

And many more flavors from your favorite brands, perfect for fueling the workplace while supporting more sustainable choices. The recovery bin can be purchased by the K-Cycle program by going to the pricing and ordering page, you can select how many bundles of 5 you would like to purchase or select the large or small bin to start your workplace’s eco-friendly journey.

 

Making Breakrooms Greener, One K-Cup® At a Time

Join Keurig in creating a greener future by recycling your K-Cup pods, choosing recyclable K-Cups from W.B. Mason, and properly disposing K-Cups in Keurig recovery bins. Shop Recyclable K-Cups® & Keurig recovery bins today to start making a positive impact!