A new children’s book is turning pages – and heads – in the publishing world. Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise, the debut title from Author and Sustainability Advocate Hayley Slack, is a children’s book to be printed on paper made from recycled coffee cups.

“As a mum of two and someone who works in the waste industry, I wanted to create something meaningful that would make kids and parents think differently about what we throw away,” says Slack. “Books have the power to shape how children see the world, so why not use them to also show how the world can be?”

Here are some key takeaways about the sustainable storybook:

• Innovative Sustainability in Publishing: The book is printed on paper made from recycled coffee cups, showcasing a creative approach to reducing waste and promoting the circular economy within the publishing industry.
• Educational & Environmental Message: Through the adventures of Little Coffee Cup, the story encourages children and parents to think critically about waste, reuse and sustainability.
• Real-World Impact & Local Industry Support: Each copy of the book uses 13 recycled coffee cups collected across the U.K. and processed at James Cropper’s Burneside Mill, highlighting how local waste can be transformed into valuable products while supporting domestic recycling infrastructure.
• Timely Response to Policy & Environmental Challenges: The book’s release aligns with ongoing debates about disposable cup waste in the U.K., especially after the government scrapped a proposed takeback scheme. It underscores the importance of community participation and innovative recycling programs like CupCycling.

Read the full story on Packaging Impressions, a publication of PRINTING United Alliance, ASI’s strategic content partner.

Read more on Packaging Impressions.

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