One Cup at a Time

Among the different types of food packaging, disposable cups clearly grabs the top spot for being among the most widely used. They are essential to food and drink establishments as they provide utmost convenience both for the customer who can bring a drink anywhere and for the business itself as it lessens the burden of additional cups in the sink. 

Be it for a cool refreshing beverage, hot coffee, or even booze, disposable cups are indispensable.

There are a variety of options depending on material, sizes, and colors. With this guide, we give you the rundown on each kind of disposable cup that is best to fit your taste and needs one cup at a time.

Plastic Cups

Like disposable cutleries, plastic cups are the most accessible since they are the most affordable. They are durable, easily manufactured, and readily available. Add the fact that they’re light and portable. They are also available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (including transparent).

In terms of usability, these are not suitable for hot drinks as toxic chemicals may leach into the drink at higher temperatures and could be consumed unknowingly. These same toxic compounds also get released into the environment upon disposal while the plastic material decomposes over decades.

Styrofoam Cups

Unlike plastics, styrofoam is a great insulator for heat and has become the go-to disposable cup for hot beverages. It keeps beverages hot for a long time and it keeps the user’s hands comfortable even when holding a very hot drink.

Nevertheless, similar to plastics, while their uses are diversified, so does the damage it does to our environment. Polystyrene is the main component of styrofoam cups. Since it takes a long time to decompose, its chemicals seep into the environment, which can in turn harm our water resources. Not only is it harmful to the environment, but it also poses a threat to our health. When heated, its chemicals can also contaminate our drinks like how it seeps into the environment. 

Over the years, styrofoam has earned a bad reputation so businesses and communities have felt the need to make the switch to more environmentally friendly disposables.

Paper Cups

Given the long-term effects plastic and styrofoam disposables have on our environment, paper has gained more popularity over the years.

They are usable for both hot and cold drinks. They are also very affordable. Their ability to hold their shape is not as good as plastic as they easily deform when not handled with care.

They also seem eco-friendly enough - at least that’s how it looks to most consumers since they are made of paper. To the more discerning consumer though, we know that it is not entirely the case. By the nature of paper, it is clearly not inherently waterproof. They can only hold liquids because they are also normally coated with plastics. At the same time, the lids that match these paper cups are also normally made of plastic as well.

Sugarcane Bagasse Cups

Sugarcane bagasse cups may seem fresh to one’s ears, but it is surely the next ‘it’ cup in the mainstream world of disposable cups.
Made from the waste product of sugar processing, it bears little environmental impact upon production. In terms of disposal, it also has no harmful effects on the environment since it can compost naturally within just 45 days.

No need to worry if you’re more of a hot drink enthusiast since they can be used for both hot and cold beverages. It’s also a plus that they’re freezer-safe and oven-safe. Durability is no issue as well since they are sturdier and hold their shape much better than paper cups.

Compared to other options, this cup may not be as cheap. But with the quality, functionality, and eco-friendliness that sugarcane bagasse cups offer, it's sure to be worth every penny.

They are also available in various sizes to suit different needs.

9oz Sugarcane Bagasse Coffee Cup

Although it’s normally called a ‘coffee cup’, it can be used for any hot or cold beverage whether it be coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk tea, juices, or even plain water. For on-the-go convenience, the 9oz bagasse coffee cup is best paired with the Sugarcane Bagasse Flat Cup Lid with Sip Hole for a worry-free drinking experience wherever and whenever you need it.

16oz Sugarcane Bagasse Cold Cup / 22oz Sugarcane Bagasse Cold Cup

If you're a go-big or go-home type of person, then this may be your top choice. It comes in two sizes—16 oz and 22 oz. This cup is the ideal choice for cold beverages like sodas, juices, iced coffee, frappuccinos, milk tea, and smoothies.

There are three lid options that fit both the 16oz and 22oz cups:

• Coffee Cup Lid with Sip Hole is ideal for hot drinks as well as any drink that is best enjoyed sipped directly from the cup.
• Flat Lid with Straw Hole is good for regular drinks that do not have toppings. It comes with a straw hole that fits both regular and bubble tea-sized straws.
• Dome Lid with Straw Hole can accommodate toppings such as froths, whipped cream, ice cream, and the like. It also comes with a straw hole that can fit both regular and bubble tea-sized straws.

Making the big switch to be more eco-friendly can be overwhelming sometimes. This is just a gentle reminder that being eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of everything all at once, you can always start with one cup at a time.

Econtainer offers sugarcane bagasse cups in multiple sizes and lids. Check them out here for more details.