Coffee Cup-Derived Children's Books
James Cropper and Biffa Design a New Book With Old Coffee Cups
Kanesa D — March 9, 2026
James Cropper has partnered with Biffa to release "Whitney the Wasteater and the Wrong Bite," a children’s book promoting responsible recycling habits. The story follows Whitney, a selective “Wasteater” who thrives on clean recyclables but becomes ill after consuming contaminated waste. Designed for children aged two to seven, the book teaches families the importance of properly sorting materials.
The book is printed on paper produced through James Cropper’s CupCycling process at its Burneside Mill in the Lake District, which repurposes used polyethylene-lined coffee cups into premium paper. Each copy incorporates material from roughly 15 recycled cups.
"Breathing life into one of our Wasteater characters in a children’s book is a wonderful way to spark curiosity about recycling from an early age. By using rhyme and imagination, we’re helping youngsters see how their choices matter and how small everyday actions can make a big difference to the environment," said Georgia Gibson, social value manager at Biffa Manchester.
