Two franchise chains have independently launched recycling initiatives in partnership with with Simply Cups.

At convenience chain 7-Eleven the world’s first reusable coffee cup made out of takeaway coffee cups, the rCUP, is available for purchase.

At coffee and bakery franchise Muffin Break a partnership with Simply Cups aims to recycle 11 million cups. For every takeaway coffee or hot drink sold by Muffin Break, one cup will be recycled.

With 210 Muffin Break stores across Australia, the brand believes it can take 11 million cups out of landfill.

The chain has also joined the Responsible Cafes movement, with outlets offering customers a 30c discount on coffee when they bring a keep cup.

For 7-Eleven, the introduction of the rCUP furthers the brand’s commitment to reducing single-use waste.

A second initiative is another Australian-first, the recycling of plastic straws.

Rob Pascoe, founder of Simply Cups said in order to manufacture the rCUPs locally, the community needs to recycle their takeaway cups and straws.

“We have a new partnership with a company that has developed cutting-edge technology to recycle plastic waste into a dough-like plastic material that can be moulded into new products including rCUPs, furniture and car park bumpers. This locally developed technology is the first of its kind in the world and to continue to develop it we need the community’s help to recycle their takeaway cups and plastic straws.”

7-Eleven partnered with Simply Cups in March and launched a recycling revolution with the aim of rescuing takeaway cups from landfill. Since the program launched, 1.48 million cups have been collected and given new life as hospital trays and other products.