Express ProductsKeep Scotland Beautiful launch their #TakeItBack campaign with Glasdon cup recycling bins.
Having previously launched campaigns in Glasgow and Dundee, Keep Scotland Beautiful has turned their attention to Edinburgh in 2026 in a bid to reduce the number of single-use cups that are littered or sent to landfills.
Currently, only 4% of cups are recycled in Scotland, as most single-use cups are unable to be recycled and must be disposed of in general waste instead. In Edinburgh alone, a recent bin audit outside Waverley station found that single-use cups made up 59% of the drinks waste. Unfortunately, over consumption of these items has led to rampant littering and pollution of Scotland’s environment.
As a result, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful launched their recent #TakeItBack campaign alongside the National Cup Recycling Scheme (NCRS), the City of Edinburgh Council, and various retailers including Greggs, Costa Coffee, Caffé Nero, and McDonald’s. The campaign aims to provide Edinburgh residents with a practical way to recycle cups during their commute.
Customers can now return their single-use cups to over 30 stores across the city, regardless of the cup’s branding or origin. The charity also aimed to place dedicated cup recycling bins outside of key transport hubs to improve collection rates from those passing by.
Our Nexus® 360 cup recycling stations were chosen for this purpose. Dedicated bins were placed in key locations on Market Street, on Waverley Bridge, and outside Haymarket Station, each with personalised graphics to encourage correct disposal. These thoroughfares are some of the highest footfall locations in Edinburgh, and by targeting commuter routes, Keep Scotland Beautiful aim to significantly boost recycling rates.
With the #TakeItBack campaign now live, Edinburgh commuters and visitors are now able to participate in the recycling of single-use cups. Whether it be via the new cup recycling bins in place, or by returning their disposable cups to one of the participating stores, everyone can now have a hand in keeping Edinburgh beautiful.
Keep Scotland Beautiful is an environmental charity and invests all the profits generated from the sale of its services, including Climate Emergency Training, to further its charitable activities that enhance Scotland’s sustainability. This includes combating climate change, tackling litter and waste, restoring biodiversity and nature and improving places. Working with us is a positive way for you to enhance your social and environmental impact.
