Starbucks (SBUX, $74.93) to go environment friendly with new recyclable coffee cups

In partnership with environmental charity Hubbub, coffee giant Starbucks is launching a £1 million ($1.3 million) recycling program across the U.K. for paper coffee cups.

The partnership called the ‘The Cup Fund’ will support at least 10 large-scale recycling initiatives. Grants will range in-between £50,000 - £1,000,000 based on individual organization needs, with an aim to develop long term infrastructure. The fund is open to applications.

This partnership is topical as coffee shops have long been the target of criticism from environmentalists. The paper cups traditionally used for selling coffee cannot be recycled with ordinary paper and cardboard due to a plastic lining that prevents hot drinks from leaking.

Hubbub in a press release on Thursday noted that more recycling points specifically for paper coffee cups were needed, as well as clearer communication to help the public recycle more effectively.

The fund is open to applications from a range of organizations including local authorities, recycling companies and property owners.

Starbucks is also trying to find an alternative to plastic for future cups and will begin trialling in London next year. It already offers in-store cup recycling in 350 locations across Britain.

Last year the coffee giant has started charging five pence on paper cups in the U.K to encourage customers to use recyclable cups.