Sioux Falls residents, don't throw away those paper cups anymore

Don't throw out those paper cups in the garbage anymore, Sioux Falls.

Millennium Recycling Inc., the Sioux Falls-based recycling facility that serves the region, announced Thursday it can now process paper cups due to a new partnership.

The cups were previously thought to be recyclable due to their plastic lining. But Millennium says a partnership with the Food Service Packaging Institute means the facility now has mills that will take delivery of discarded paper cups.

The mills are increasingly seeing the cups as a valuable source of high-quality fiber.

“We are committed to giving our customers in Sioux Falls, Yankton, Huron, southwest Minnesota and beyond the opportunity to provide a new life for recycled cups – not just send them to the landfill,” said Shannon Dwire, president of Millennium Recycling, in a news release.

Millennium recycles over 100 million pounds of material per year. The recycling service asks residents to remove and place all lids, straws and stirrers in the trash and only recycle clean and empty paper cups. Cup sleeves may be left on the cup. Paper take-out containers may also be recycled if clean and empty.