Unlike conventional cups which are made with polyethylene, the ecotainer™ lining is coated with a bioplastic made from corn. The liner is covered with an outer layer of paper, which is harvested from trees managed in accordance with Sustainable Forestry Initiative guidelines, making the ecotainer™ cup eco-friendly all the way around.

When you consume your morning coffee and then toss your paper cup in the trash, it is joining 14.4 billion other disposable sippers. The petrochemicals used to manufacture the cups could heat 8,300 homes for one full year. Divert your cup from the trash and instead recycle at your local coffee shop that takes part in Portland Composts!, the city’s commercial composting program.

If you are a local coffee shop and are interested in getting a compost program going at your place of business, contact Portland Composts! at 503.823.1376 or go to www.sustainableportland.org

Your first step is to contact your hauler to see if they participate in the program. Then contact Portland Composts! and find answers to your questions. The city has experts on hand to help you set up a system that works for your particular business set-up. You’ll be the proud owner (or renter) of a 32- or 65- gallon green collection cart where you can compost a wide variety of organic material including food items such as kitchen scraps, tea bags, meat, bones, coffee grounds; food-soiled paper; and plants. Make the call and get started now and you can proudly say you compost!

Closing the Loop