Developed in collaboration with Metsä Board, Qwarzo®, and Transcend Packaging
In a major step toward sustainable packaging, Starbucks has launched a new version of its iconic white hot cup that is both widely recyclable and home compostable. The innovative cup is made using Metsä Board’s premium paperboard and a mineral-based coating developed by Italian innovator Qwarzo®, replacing traditional plastic linings.
The lid, which has historically been made of single use plastic, has also been replaced with a fibre based alternative featuring the same compostable coating. The entire cup system holds DIN CERTCO certification for home compostability.
Manufactured by Transcend Packaging at its facility in Wales, the cup was developed through extensive R&D and collaboration. Metsä Board’s 360 Services, including sustainability and barrier development support, played a crucial role in aligning all partners to meet performance and environmental goals.
The cup is currently rolling out across select European markets including Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and Spain, with the UK and Ireland scheduled to follow later in the year.
“This is a true industry collaboration. The openness and alignment among all parties has made it possible to bring a scalable, sustainable packaging solution to market,” said Matt Boyle, Sales Director at Metsä Board.
“We are proud to offer customers a compostable and recyclable cup option when a reusable one isn’t available,” added Duncan Moir, President of Starbucks EMEA.
This launch marks the first large-scale introduction of such technology in takeaway coffee cups, setting a new benchmark for circular packaging in the foodservice industry.