Coffee Cup-Made Books
The Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise Book is Made from Recycled Cups
Kanesa D — June 17, 2025
A delightful new title is arriving in the world of children’s publishing and is being celebrated not just for its story, but for how it’s made. Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise, the debut book from author and sustainability advocate Hayley Slack, is the first-ever children’s book printed on paper made entirely from recycled coffee cups.
Infused with whimsy, the story follows Little Coffee Cup, a curious character who ventures beyond the café to explore the wonders of the world. Beneath its cheerful narrative lies a deeper mission: to introduce young readers to themes of reuse, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Each copy of the book gives new life to 13 recycled coffee cups, collected from across the UK and transformed through CupCycling®—an innovative process by James Cropper at Burneside Mill in the Lake District.
