Starbucks has redesigned its iconic white to-go cup for Europe: The previous plastic coating on the inside has been replaced by a mineral coating, and instead of the disposable plastic lid, there is now a paper alternative. The familiar and popular Starbucks design has remained - with the difference that the new hot beverage cup and lid are now not only recyclable, but also certified for disposal in domestic compost.

The European production partner for the new hot drinks cup and lid is Transcend Packaging Ltd, a company based in Ystrad Mynach, South Wales, which is a pioneer in the production of sustainable disposable packaging.

The paperboard for the new hot drinks cup is supplied by Metsä Board and manufactured using traceable wood fibre from Northern European forests. All wood raw materials used for the hot beverage cup are sourced from PEFC (PEFC/02-31-03) and/or FSC® (FSC-C014476) certified forests.

While other disposable cups are coated on the inside with plastic, the Starbucks cup coating is based on silica - a mineral that is used as a food additive all over the world. Silica is widely recognised as food safe and has been approved by various regulatory bodies since the 1960s.

This new coating provides a tough, highly heat-resistant barrier that is neutral in flavour and does not compromise the customer experience in any way.

The new paper lid is coated with the same Qwarzo® silica coating that is now used on our to-go cup. It has been designed so that the lid retains its shape and stability even when in contact with hot liquids.

Since the introduction of the first branded Starbucks to-go cups in the 1980s, the coffee company has continually optimised them to improve the customer experience, making the cup a trademark. Over the decades, the cup has reflected the brand's milestones and achieved cult status. Each new edition symbolises a piece of progress. The latest version is no exception.

Coffee cups with a plastic coating pose a challenge in the recycling process, as the technical effort involved increases due to the plastic content and the quality of the recycled paper can be impaired by foreign substances. The new cup can now be recycled with its lid in the paper bins or composted at home as an alternative.

Our new hot beverage cup and our new paper lid are coated with a mineral-based material, which ensures that this packaging can be recycled and composted on the European market (assuming appropriate local disposal infrastructures are in place).

Both the cup and the lid have received recycling certifications, tested by Circpack by Veolia according to the CEPI method using current and widely used recycling systems. In addition, both products are certified by DIN CERTCO as industrially compostable and for home composting.

Our guests won't notice any difference: The new cup delivers the same premium experience as before, both visually and haptically.

Starbucks wants to offer an outstanding coffee and customer experience. Starbucks guests can continue to order their beverage in a porcelain cup if they wish to enjoy it on site in our coffee houses.

Starbucks EMEA has also been offering a discount on drinks in reusable cups since it entered the market over 25 years ago.

The launch of the new hot beverage cup in Europe is the next step in this journey - with a compostable and recyclable packaging solution.

Both the hot beverage cup and the lid are certified as recyclable materials in all 27 EU countries as well as in the UK, Norway and Switzerland.

We have designed the new cup so that it can be recycled if disposed of properly in paper waste. The new cellulose-based lid is no longer made of plastic, but has the same mineral coating as the inside of the cup.

The new Starbucks hot beverage cup fulfils strict standards to meet the DIN-approved ‘home compostable’ and ‘industrially compostable’ certificates.

Our guests can compost their cup at home on the compost heap or in a municipal composting plant (assuming appropriate local disposal infrastructure).

When disposing of the cup in home compost, we recommend shredding it first to speed up the natural composting process. The banderole and the beverage label (if present) should be removed beforehand.

Only the new Starbucks hot drinks cups and lids described on this website are compostable.

The new hot beverage cups and lids will be launched in our coffee houses in Europe over the course of 2025; initially in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Hungary, Switzerland and Austria in May, and later in the UK and other markets.

This is the first time that this innovative technology has been used in a coffee cup that is produced on a large scale worldwide. We are looking forward to the response, as we hope that the feedback from our guests will give us deeper insights into how we can meet the demand for new technologies like these in other markets.

As the new hot beverage cups are being rolled out gradually, in some stores our guests may still receive remaining stock of our previous cups.

In stores where we offer mobile ordering and delivery by third parties, the new hot beverage cups will also be used for this purpose.

In France, our new hot drinks cups and lids are used for both hot and cold drinks to go.

Our new hot drinks cup is certified as recyclable, which means that it can be recycled in waste paper (subject to appropriate local disposal infrastructure).

Alternatively, you can dispose of the hot drinks cup in your local compost heap. If you dispose of our new cups and lids in this way, we recommend that you shred the cup beforehand to speed up the natural composting process. Please also remember to remove the sleeve and the beverage label (if present).

Only the new Starbucks hot beverage cups and lids are compostable.

Starbucks remains committed to a future where all guests can order and enjoy their beverages in a reusable cup - either one they bring with them or one we provide.

Since our launch in the EMEA region, we have promoted the use of reusable cups for to-go beverages and offer our guests a discount on them. Starbucks guests also have the option of enjoying their order on site in our coffee houses in porcelain cups.

Last but not least, it is important to us that the packaging we offer our guests is recyclable and compostable. Whether for enjoying coffee on the go, for home delivery or for moments when you spontaneously drop by or forget to bring your reusable cup.

Starbucks has teamed up with Transcend Packaging Ltd, Qwarzo® and Metsä Group to develop and produce the new, fully recyclable and compostable cup and lid alternative.

The new hot drinks cup is available in the sizes Espresso (118 ml), Short (236 ml), Tall (355 ml), Grande (473 ml) and Venti (592 ml). The paper lid is available in all sizes from Short to Venti. We serve espresso cups without lids as standard.

Starbucks has worked with the following recycling and sorting companies as well as composting accreditors in the testing of the new cup.

• Circpack by Veolia
• Tomra
• Smurfit Kappa
• Flustix (visit flustix.com/certified and search to following license numbers related to our new home compostable and recyclable cups: FPPC010 (for our standard printed cup with logo); FPPC012 (for our standard sip lid); FPPC014 (for our delivery sip lid).
• Control Union
• DIN CERTCO (to search the certification base, visit www.dincertco.tuv.com)
• TÜV Rheinland
• Plant Test (Ecotoxicity)