Starbucks announced on 3/20/2019 that it will begin testing a compostable cup in five cities: New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and London. The new cup looks identical to the original paper cup, as the only difference lies inside. The plastic liner that serves as a barrier against leakage will be replaced by a biodegradable liner. This new liner makes the cup compostable in commercial composting facilities. This is a big step for Starbucks, which has been seeking greener alternatives for decades, since facilities usually refuse to recycle paper cups because of the plastic lining. Separating the plastic liner from the paper cup is difficult and often not worth it, and skipping this step can lead to the plastic jamming the facilities' machines.
