Tim Hortons testing plastic-free and recyclable hot beverage lids

Tim Hortons restaurants across Prince Edward Island will begin a 12-week test of plastic-free, fibre hot beverage lids as part of our efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

The goal of the trial is to work toward developing a guest-friendly alternative to plastic lids that are easier to compost or recycle, while still providing a great drinking experience for customers.

"We're excited to ask Islanders to help us test this new, plastic-free and recyclable lid for Tim Hortons hot beverage cups. We're known for serving Canada's favourite coffee, so it's important that we develop a best-in-class solution for our guests," says Paul Yang, senior director of procurement, sustainability and packaging for Tim Hortons. "We've worked hard on developing a fibre lid that feels like our current lids but is plastic-free. These fibre lids are part of our five-year journey to develop more sustainable solutions for all our packaging and we're excited to have our guests in Prince Edward Island join us in this test."

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Over the past year, Tim Hortons has transitioned a number of packaging items in an effort to help reduce the use of single-use plastics, including introducing wooden and fibre cutlery, and replacing plastic lids on Loaded Bowls with fibre lids.

"IWMC is eager to trial the fibre lids being tested by Tim Hortons. Residents are encouraged to participate in the trial by placing the lids in their recycling (blue bag #1). If a lid becomes exceedingly soiled from cup contents, it can be composted," adds Heather Myers, Island Waste Management Corporation disposal manager.

This test in P.E.I is using an improved version of a similar fibre lid that was trialed in select Tim Hortons restaurants across Vancouver in early 2023 and helped reduce the use of more than 3.3 million plastic lids.