Different Types of Disposable Cups and Their Best Uses for UK Food Businesses
Selecting an appropriate disposable cup doesn’t seem like an important decision at first glance, however, when it comes to UK cafes, restaurants, catering companies and event organisers, it truly does matter. Not only the wrong disposable cup will make customers drink their beverages lukewarm or will lead to additional waste, but it will also affect the overall performance of the establishment.
Such cups as Ripple Cups, Single Wall Cups, Smoothie Cups, Souffle Cups and Red Plastic Cups have different functions. In the following paragraphs we will describe each of the cups to help you make the right decision.
Why the Right Disposable Cup Matters for Your Business
Disposable cups are not only packaging but an important element of the overall experience of the clients. A flimsy cup which burns your customer’s fingers and leaks in the middle of consumption gives a bad impression about your company. On the other hand, the proper cup:
Helps to keep beverages warm longer;
Avoids complaints and wastes;
Looks professional and branded;
Meets health and safety requirements for food service.
With so much variety it is useful to know what function each of the cups performs.
The 5 Main Types of Disposable Cups Explained
1. Ripple Cups Best for Hot Drinks
If you have a company that provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate or other hot beverages, then ripple cups will be the best investment for you. They are designed in such a way that there is a special rippling design outside, which creates a space between the cup and the hot content inside it. This makes the cup insulating naturally without having a sleeve at all.
For: Cafes, coffee shops, office catering, coffee trucks and other places where hot drinks are served.
Why UK companies like them:
No sleeve required means cost effective and less waste
Convenient to use despite the high temperature of contents
Professional design
Multiple sizes available from single espressos to large lattes
They are a perfect choice for any company dealing in high volumes of hot drinks per day.
2. Single Wall Cups Best for Cold Drinks & Budget Buyers
Single wall cups are the simplest form of disposable cups in the United Kingdom food industry. The single wall construction makes the cups light and economical to use.
Suitable for: Cold beverages, water fountains, offices, canteens, low-budget caterers.
Key benefits:
Low cost-per-unit which is excellent for mass consumption
Can be used for cold or ambient beverages
Light and stackable
Diverse size selection available
One key limitation: Single wall cups cannot be used for hot beverages without sleeves as heat transfer from the single wall is quick. They are however suitable for use in the provision of cold water, squash, juice or iced beverages.
3. Smoothie Cups Best for Juice Bars & Health Cafés
In the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the smoothie and health drink market in the UK, and smoothie cups have become an indispensable part of juices bars, gyms, and wellness cafes. These glasses are usually wide-mouthed and designed in such a way that would enable them to carry vibrant coloured drinks with thick textures.
Suitable for: Smoothie bars, health cafes, gyms, protein shake bars, bubble tea cafes.
The reasons why smoothie cups make such an excellent choice:
Perfect for thick smoothies and toppings
Clear smoothie cups allow the customer to see what they are drinking
Suitable for use with dome lids and thick straws
Increases chances of upselling due to eye-catching design
If you are serving blended drinks, protein shakes or boba tea, then these smoothie cups will make a worthwhile investment.
4. Souffle Cups Best for Portion Control & Condiments
The Souffle Cups are little-known but highly appreciated in the food industry. Usually, these cups come in small sizes of 1 oz to 4 oz and are used to serve small portions of different sauces, dips, dressings, or condiments. In addition, these can be also used in small servings of desserts or medications in healthcare organizations.
Ideal use for: restaurants, takeaway food outlets, fast food restaurants, healthcare food services, and catering.
When they are useful:
Small-sized sauces or condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, hot sauce)
Small-sized dessert shots (at parties)
Tasting samples (in delis or markets)
Medication servings (in care homes and hospitals)
Being very small in size, they can be easily bought in large quantities and will also fit into your cupboards easily.
5. Red Plastic Cups Best for Events & Parties
Rarely is anything more instantly recognizable than red plastic cups. Durable and able to be stacked and bought in bulk, these are often chosen by organizers of outdoor events, festivals, barbecues, and parties throughout the UK.
Best for: Event organizers, pubs, bars, festivals, parties, student unions.
Reasons for popularity:
Sturdy and unlikely to spill
Able to be purchased in bulk at reasonable prices
Able to be marked with branding for the event
Compatible with either alcohol or soft drinks
Though the debate over single use plastics still rages in the UK, red plastic cups continue to be a highly sought-after product when it comes to one-time events.
Quick Comparison: Which Cup Should You Choose?
Cup Type
Best Use
Hot or Cold?
Volume
Ripple Cups
Hot coffee, tea
Hot
Medium–Large
Single Wall Cups
Cold drinks, water
Cold
Small–Large
Smoothie Cups
Smoothies, shakes
Cold
Large
Souffle Cups
Sauces, portions
Either
Mini
Red Plastic Cups
Events, parties
Cold
Medium–Large
Tips for Buying Disposable Cups in Bulk for UK Businesses
No matter whether you’re running a café or operating a catering service, there are some tips on purchasing that will save your time and money:
Order items in cases: bulk discounts greatly decrease unit price
Must fit a lid: remember to make sure your cups match the lids you order
Think about being environmentally friendly: try to find FSC-certified or recycled products
Keep in stock: most food companies require 2-3 types of cups at minimum
Take care with sizing: UK sizes do not correspond to American ones
Final Thoughts
It could be the comforting heat provided by a quality hot beverage, or perhaps the appealing appearance of a freshly made smoothie, whichever the case may be, the type of cup you use communicates quite a bit about your company. It is important that you stock the right cup options to have satisfied customers, minimize waste, and manage budgeting efficiently.
Should you be interested in stocking up on disposable cups, Nationwide Paper provides a wide variety of high-quality products for food establishments in the UK, from ripple cups and single wall to smoothie cups, souffle cups, and even red plastic cups, all of which come in bulk, delivered for free!
