How to Recycle Takeaway Soup Bowls: A Practical Guide for Foodservice Professionals

With the growing popularity of takeout meals, foodservice professionals are increasingly turning to disposable soup bowls. But with the rising demand for sustainable solutions, a key question arises: how can we effectively recycle these takeaway soup bowls? In this article, discover the best practices for recycling your bowls, along with tips to reduce your business’s environmental impact while meeting customer expectations.

1. Materials Used in Takeaway Soup Bowls

Before recycling, it’s important to understand what your soup bowls are made of. The most common materials include:

• Recyclable kraft paper: Kraft is a popular material for eco-friendly bowls. It’s natural, recyclable, and easily breaks down in most recycling processes.
• Cardboard with biodegradable lining: Some cardboard bowls have a PLA (polylactic acid) lining to hold liquids. This type of lining is biodegradable and can be recycled in suitable facilities.
• Recyclable plastic: Though less common, some soup bowls include a thin plastic coating, which can be recycled if properly separated.

To recycle effectively, you need to identify the material of your bowls. Check the markings on the packaging or ask your supplier for information to ensure correct sorting.

2. How to Recycle Kraft and Cardboard Soup Bowls

Kraft and cardboard bowls are widely used for their natural, sustainable appeal. However, a few steps are required for proper recycling:

• Remove lids and accessories: Plastic lids, which are often not compostable, must be sorted separately.
• Clean the bowls: While it may seem tedious, soup residue can interfere with recycling. It’s best to rinse the bowls before placing them in recycling bins.
• Separate components: If your bowls have an internal PLA or similar lining, check with your local facility to ensure they can process biodegradable materials. Some recycling centers have the proper technology for this.

To encourage customers to recycle, you can add clear sorting instructions or a “recyclable” logo on your bowls.

3. Composting Soup Bowls: An Option for Biodegradable Materials

Some soup bowls are compostable, especially those made from natural fibers or cardboard with PLA coating. Here’s how to handle them:

• Check certifications: Compostable bowls often carry the EN 13432 certification or the “OK Compost” label, ensuring they are suitable for industrial composting.
• Find suitable facilities: Not all composting centers accept packaging waste. Contact your local facility to verify whether they accept these materials.
• Educate your customers: Provide information about composting or partner with local composting services. If you have the space, setting up your own compost station on-site is also a great solution.

4. Sustainable Alternatives: Reusable Bowls and Deposit Schemes

To reduce waste even further, many foodservice businesses are opting for reusable bowls or deposit return systems:

• Reusable bowls: Some businesses provide washable bowls that customers can return with their next order.
• Deposit systems: Customers pay a small deposit for the bowl and get it back when they return it. These systems are especially popular in cities with strong eco-conscious communities.

These alternatives reduce environmental impact while offering customers a more responsible takeaway experience.

Conclusion

Recycling takeaway soup bowls is not only vital for the environment—it’s also a way for foodservice professionals to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. By adopting proper recycling habits, investing in compostable materials, and exploring reusable alternatives, you can reduce your carbon footprint and build loyalty among environmentally conscious customers.

Offer innovative solutions, educate your customers, and choose bowls that combine practicality with sustainability—together, we can make soup bowl recycling a positive habit for everyone.