Wellington cafes angered after city stops taking compostable cups

July 8, 2019

Companies like Mojo say they’re trying to do the right thing but have been stymied. (Source: Other)

Wellington's composting facility has stopped taking compostable cups, which has angered companies like Mojo who say they're trying to do the right thing.

However, composting a coffee cup isn't as simple as some might think - sparking renewed calls to phase out takeaway cups altogether.

"These cups are not very good for the environment and there's an easy alternative: sit down at the cafe or just bring your keep cup," Wellington Councillor Iona Pannett told 1 NEWS.

Companies like Mojo, which have invested in a system of composting their cups, aren't happy with Capital Compost's decision to stop accepting the cups.

"That was a complete surprise to us, it has been a difficult process from the start," Mojo NZ General Manager Katy Ellis says.

The facility could compost the cups, but it's complicated.

They'd need to run a second stream alongside the organic compost, they'd need no contamination and around 200,000 of the cups a month.

Currently Capital Compost say they're only receiving around 100 cups a day.

Mojo is now looking to other businesses in the capital to find a solution.

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