Types of plastic cups: a complete guide to disposable and reusable cups
Choosing the right cup affects your costs, your customers' experience and how your service is organised. Between PP, PET, PS, PLA or rPET, disposable or reusable, clear or opaque, it is natural to wonder which cup suits which situation.
This guide reviews the materials and uses, to help you select the cups suited to your café, restaurant, food truck or events.
What types of plastic cups exist? The summary
Cups are classified by two main criteria:
- By material: polypropylene (PP), PET, polystyrene (PS), PLA, polycarbonate (PC) and rPET.
- By use: disposable, reusable, for hot drinks, for cold drinks, clear or opaque.
Types of cups by material
The composition of the material determines clarity, flexibility, heat resistance and whether it can go in the dishwasher.
Polypropylene (PP) cups
Polypropylene is one of the most versatile materials, for disposable and reusable cups alike. Translucent, light and heat-resistant, it holds hot drinks without deforming easily, and it is recyclable. In its reusable version, the thicker wall withstands industrial washing cycles: it is the material of the "Ecocups" used at festivals and receptions. It serves cold and hot drinks alike and lends itself to logo customisation.
Polycarbonate (PC) cups
Polycarbonate imitates the elegance of glass while being practically unbreakable. Rigid, clear and premium, it keeps its clarity after many industrial washes. It suits swimming pools, nightclubs, hotel terraces and upmarket events, with no risk of broken glass.
Disposable polystyrene (PS) cups
Light and economical, polystyrene is the benchmark disposable cup in fast food and vending. Two variants exist:
- Crystal PS: rigid and completely clear, but more fragile under strong pressure. Ideal for water and fizzy drinks.
- Expanded PS (foam): porous, it is an excellent thermal insulator. It keeps coffee hot without burning hands.
Its fragility restricts it to single use, and recycling it requires specific streams.
PET cups
PET is the material of clarity: it is used for cups for sodas, smoothies or takeaway fruit salads. More impact-resistant than crystal PS, it offers a gloss that shows off the drink. For cold drinks, discover our custom PET cups.
rPET (recycled plastic) cups
rPET is the sustainable evolution of PET: made from post-consumer plastic that has been recovered, cleaned and made safe again for food contact. It offers the same clarity and strength as standard PET and helps reduce the carbon footprint, without sacrificing visibility of the product.
PLA cups
PLA (polylactic acid) is a bioplastic derived from corn starch. It looks like conventional plastic but is compostable. It meets new environmental requirements for cold drinks: it is the alternative for businesses that want to reduce their footprint without giving up clarity.
Cardboard and paper cups: the alternative for hot drinks
In cafés and takeaway, cardboard and paper cups are among the most requested. They stand out for their customisation, their appealing look and a better ecological perception among customers.
Cardboard insulates heat better, which makes it suited to hot drinks. It comes in single wall and double wall, the latter offering superior insulation. An inner coating remains essential to prevent leaks. Discover our range of paper cups.
Types of cups by use
Beyond the material, the shape and finish dictate how the cup works during service.
Disposable cups
The standard solution for high-turnover environments, they guarantee each customer a new container, reduce the risk of cross-contamination and remove the costs of washing, water and detergents. Their limitation: the environmental impact of conventional plastic and a higher cumulative cost than a reusable system.
Rigid plastic reusable cups
In PP or polycarbonate, they are designed for hundreds of wash cycles. They are the norm at festivals and sporting events, with a deposit-and-return system that sharply reduces the volume of waste. They do, however, require collection and washing logistics. Discover our reusable tableware.
Clear cups
In PET or crystal PS, they showcase sodas, draught beers and colourful cocktails, and project an image of freshness and cleanliness.
Opaque or coloured cups
Often in PP, they bring customisation and dynamism: from white to bright shades, like the famous red polystyrene party cup. Opacity hides the contents, copes better with visual scratches and offers a good branding surface.
Hot drink cups
They act as a thermal barrier: the drink stays at a good temperature, the outside remains comfortable to the touch, the structure does not deform. Double-wall or reinforced-insulation models are essential for "coffee-to-go".
Cold drink and cocktail cups
Large in capacity (300 to 500 ml), very clear to show ice and garnishes, they are made of PET, whose rigidity stops the cup from bending in the hand. For smoothies and milkshakes, the format with a dome lid and straw is the most popular.
Beer cups
Beer calls for a geometry suited to the head: a narrower base, with walls that widen towards the top. Injection-moulded polypropylene is the favourite for its strength and its glass-like feel.
Cups with lid and straw
Essential for takeaway and delivery. The lid (flat or dome for drinks with toppings) provides closure and prevents leaks. Combined with a paper straw or a straw made from a compostable material, it is a practical, professional drinking kit.
Advantages of plastic cups
- Lightness and transport: easy to stack, they optimise storage and reduce logistics costs.
- Variety of sizes: from the small 6 cl espresso cup to large 50 cl sizes, with crystal, frosted or ergonomic finishes.
- Impact resistance: they do not shatter into sharp shards like glass, which makes them essential for swimming pools, terraces, concerts and children's areas.
- Controlled cost: they offer the most competitive unit cost for serving large volumes, with hygiene guaranteed by single use.
- Customisation: logos and slogans print very sharply on them, turning the cup into a communication medium.
How to choose your disposable cup
Four questions are enough to decide:
- Which drink, at what temperature? Double-wall cardboard or PP for hot; PET or PP for cold.
- What consumption volume? In a high-turnover business, standardising sizes and anticipating monthly consumption optimises costs.
- What environmental impact are you willing to accept? Wherever possible, favour recyclable, compostable or reusable options.
- Which supplier? A specialist supplier guarantees product quality and compliance with health standards.
Frequently asked questions about plastic cups
Which plastic cups can go in the microwave?
Polypropylene (PP) cups, as they resist heat without deforming. PET and polystyrene (PS) are not recommended for heating drinks.
Which plastic should you choose for hot drinks?
Polypropylene (PP): it keeps its shape in the heat and does not alter taste, which makes it the most used in hospitality. Double-wall cardboard is the other benchmark option.
What is the difference between PET and PP for a cup?
PET is clearer and is used mainly for cold drinks. PP resists heat better and suits hot drinks and reusable cups.
Are plastic cups recyclable?
Many are, particularly in PET and PP, provided the waste is properly sorted. rPET and compostable PLA are more sustainable options.
Which cup should you choose for an event?
For a festival or concert, the reusable PP cup is the most durable. For high-turnover events, disposable PET or PS remains practical and economical.
Which cup should you choose for your business?
There is no single ideal cup, but a solution for each situation: the elegance of polycarbonate, the practicality of disposable, the sustainability of rPET or reusable. The key is to balance the customer experience and the efficiency of your service.
Covr offers professionals a wide range of packaging compliant with the regulations in force. Browse our cup catalogue and find the container suited to your next service.
