How to Recycle K Cups

Last Updated: September 30, 2020 References

Keurig "K" Cups cannot be recycled without processing and, therefore, must be thrown into landfills. Wrong! There are ways to recycle, reuse, and upcycle K cups and keep them out of landfills. Read on!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Cleaning the K Cups

1
Use the K Cup. Since a K Cup is a single-use beverage maker, use it once. You will want to clean the K Cup regardless of its final destination to prevent bacterial growth.
2
Remove the lid. The foil lid on top is punctured but not removed during the brewing process, so completely remove it.

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3
Dispose of any remnants. There may be solids or liquids still inside the K Cup which need to be removed.
4
Wash and Rinse. With soap and water, clean out the K Cup to prevent bacterial growth. Then rinse to remove soap residue.
5
Allow to fully dry. Let air dry overnight to prevent bacterial growth.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Recycling the K Cup

1
Follow the cleaning steps.
2
Purchase a separator. These can be found online and in some stores. Due to the K Cup's three layers, it cannot be recycled without being separated.
3
Follow the directions. The most common K Cup Recycler, the Recycle A Cup, is very simple to use - just attach to the top, rotate, and pull up. Other Recyclers work almost identically.
4
Rinse off the layers. K Cups have three layers that protect the mix from the environment and are sometimes adhered together. A quick rinse in hot water should remove any adhesive that may be present.
5
Recycle. Now the fun part starts! There are a few options you have now:
- Municipal recycling - most can handle the separated parts, just place in the bin.
- Preserve Recycling - this organization will accept K Cups mailed to them for recycling.
- Recycle A Cup - this company will recycle K Cups mailed to them for recycling.
- Keurig - in some areas, Keurig and their energy partner, Covanta, will compost some parts and use the other parts for energy.
- Sustainability Offices - some colleges, companies, and schools have programs that accept K cups for recycling and/or composting.
- Others - a quick online search can reveal more local and regional recycling, composting, or energy options for old K Cups
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Reusing the K Cup

1
Follow the cleaning steps.
2
Get Creative. Here are some ideas of ways to reuse a K Cup;
- Small plant cup. If you have a plant you do not intend on eating, K Cups make great mini pots. Since the plastic is not designed for repeated usage or prolonged exposure to water, do not eat plants that were grown in a K Cup.
- String lights. Micro LED bulbs can be used to make a decorative string of lights - just cut a small hole in the top and stick the bulb in, gluing if needed. Only use LEDs as incandescents may cause the K Cups to overheat and burn.
- Egg dye holder. To get the two halves of the egg dyed different colors, fill a K Cup with coloring and place the egg (in shell) in the cup. Again, K Cups are not designed for repeated usage or prolonged water exposure so eating is not advised.
- Small organizers. Cleaned K Cups can be used to store most anything that won't be eaten. Once decorated, K Cups can be a creative way to store supplies.
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Warnings

Do NOT put K Cups where they can be exposed to heat! Plastic can burn if left in prolonged contact with heat.

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Do not use K Cups for food uses. K Cups are designed for one use only and repeated use may cause plastic components to leech into food.

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