Dive Brief:

• Dunkin' Donuts is ending its use of Styrofoam cups in New York City. The decision is in line with a new law taking effect in the Big Apple, which bans the use of Styrofoam, including plates, cups and to-go boxes, as of July 1.
• The donut chain is replacing its Styrofoam cups with new #5 recyclable polypropylene cups, according to Christine Riley Miller, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Dunkin' Brands.

• Miller said: "This cup is accepted in New York City's municipal recycling program which means, if disposed of properly, it can be diverted from local landfills. We will continue to evaluate and test all available cups until we believe we have found the best solution based on cost, performance, commercial viability and environmental impacts."

Dive Insight:

Dunkin' has said it plans to soon transition from foam products in other markets, and establish a plan to move completely to recyclable cups by the end of this year.

NYC policy makers considered the fact that Styrofoam cannot be recycled when it passed the ban on single-use polystyrene products. The move, however, has been decried by some officials as a job-killing measure.