Different Types of Disposable Cups Used for Beverages

Disposable cups are one of the most widely used containers for consumer beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, juice and many more. Their lightweight, low cost and ability to discard them after use makes it the perfect choice for almost every coffee chains and cafes, who commonly use such cups with plastic lids.

When looking at the basic structure and manufacturing process of disposable cups, there are many kinds of cups available, some of which are:

• Poly-Coated Cups: Poly-coated cups are those that are chemically coated with either a single layer or double layer of polyethylene. This makes the cup moisture-resistant and smooth while improving the stability of the cup. These cups are used for a wide range of beverages ranging from coffee to soft drinks.

• Biodegradable Cups: These cups are eco-friendly, for they can break down and decompose, unlike most plastic. These cups are usually indicated by a green sign or a tree sign, signifying their biodegradable ability. These are used by many major coffee chains and cafes, although their cost is a bit higher than other types of cups.

• PET Cups: PET cups are a form of plastic cups, which are used to make both food and beverage containers. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, which is a strong and lightweight material that keeps the drinks and food present in them fresh and airtight. When served in coffee shops and cafes as a beverage container, these plastic cups come with lids.

• Recyclable Cups: As the name suggests, these cups can be recycled and reused. These are very different from all the above-mentioned cup types, which are not usually recyclable. These cups are made of recyclable plastics and have the universal recycling logo imprinted on them for easier identification. Most major coffee chains use these kinds of cups in addition to biodegradable cups.

• Wax Coated Cups: These are usually manufactured in a way similar to poly-coated cups, with the only difference being that instead of coating with polyethylene, these are coated with wax. Wax coating gives these cups added strength and durability, making them perfect for use when serving cold beverages and semi-solids such as cold coffee, cold soft drinks, and ice cream.