As a business owner, you have to make a lot of decisions in your day-to-day life. This may include who to hire, what to serve, or even how to respond to customer complaints. Another big decision that you will have to make is how to serve your beverages: in reusable or disposable cups.
Both types of cups have their own advantages and disadvantages. Importantly, one of the downsides that many people believe about disposable cups isn’t actually true – they can be a green alternative, as many types of plastic and paper disposable cups are reusable or even compostable. Ultimately, the decision between the two types of cups will come down to your business’ needs.
At Disposable Design, we sell high quality custom-printed disposable products to independently owned and operated food service businesses throughout the United States. We offer a full range of promotional products, including plastic, paper, and biodegradable cups – that can be fully customized to boost your marketing efforts. Reach out today to talk to a member of our branding team about how we can help your business soar.
Reusable Cups
Reusable cups include any type of cup – including glasses and mugs – that can be washed and then used again and again, rather than being discarded after a single use. Reusable cups can be made out of many different materials, including glass, metal, ceramic, and heavy-duty plastic.
For some food service businesses, reusable cups are a good option. This is particularly true for businesses that largely serve beverages as a dine-in option, rather than to-go.
Pros Of Reusable Cups
Long Lifespan
There are good reasons to use reusable cups for your restaurant or cafe. While they require a larger upfront investment, they can be used over the long-term – which means that you may not need to buy more cups for a significant period of time. This can bring the cost-per-use of these cups down, making it a cost-effective option.
Less Waste
Reusable cups are also viewed as a more environmentally-friendly choice. Instead of each customer using – and then throwing away – a cup, the same cups can be reused time and time again. This may make reusable cups a more “green” option for your business.
Better Materials
With some reusable cups, the cup material could have more advantageous properties than materials used for disposable cups. For example, ceramic mugs retain heat well, which means that a hot beverage like coffee or tea may maintain its temperature better.
Ability To Customize
Reusable cups can also be branded. You can purchase cups that have your restaurant’s name and logo printed onto it. This can present a good marketing opportunity or even the chance to sell branded merchandise to customers.
Cons Of Reusable Cups
Higher Upfront Cost
However, there are downsides to using reusable cups. The initial cost of these cups can be quite substantial. You may also need to replace these cups due to breakage and other issues – especially for glass and ceramic mugs that tend to be more fragile. As a result, reusable cups aren’t necessarily less expensive.
Increased Cleaning Labor
It also costs more in terms of labor and utilities to clean reusable cups. Each time a customer uses a cup, you will have to wash and sanitize it – which requires additional labor and resources (such as an expensive commercial dishwasher and the staffing to run and unload it). There is also a potential hygiene or cross-contamination issue if the cups aren’t cleaned thoroughly. For example, if you run a coffee shop and offer nut milks for lattes, then you may need to take extra care to ensure that your cups are clean to prevent potential food allergy issues.
Requires More Storage Space
Reusable cups also take up a fair amount of space in your kitchen or storage area. If you are working with a tight space, then you don’t necessarily want to devote multiple shelves to cups, mugs, and glasses. By contrast, disposable cups take up little room and can easily be stacked.
Limited Advertising Potential
While reusable cups can be branded, it generally isn’t as effective from a marketing perspective as branding on a disposable cup. The reason why is pretty simple: your customers will use your cups in your establishment instead of walking around with them. They simply won’t be an advertisement for your business in the same way as they would be with a disposable cup. In addition, frequent washing in a commercial dishwasher means that the printing will likely wear off – which means that your branding won’t look great or the cups will need to be replaced.
Greater Environmental Impact
Finally, while reusable cups have a reputation of being more environmentally-friendly, that isn’t necessarily true. There is still an environmental impact in manufacturing reusable cups – and these cups can’t necessarily be recycled when they break. By contrast, many types of disposable cups can be recycled – and some are even biodegradable. In addition, running a commercial dishwasher requires a lot of water and energy – which adds to the environmental impact.
Disposable Cups
Disposable cups can include many different types of beverage containers that are designed for a single use. Popular options include clear plastic cups, stadium cups, paper cups, and coffee cups. There are great options for both cold beverages – like plastic cups – as well as hot drinks (such as double walled paper cups).
Many food services businesses use disposable cups, both for dine-in and takeout options. These cups are particularly popular with businesses who do a lot of to-go orders – like food trucks and coffee shops. Customers aren’t always going to want to sit in your establishment while they drink their coffee. Instead, they want to get their drink and continue on with their day – which makes disposable cups an absolute necessity for many businesses.
Pros Of Disposable Cups
Decreased Cleaning Labor
There are many advantages to using disposable cups. To start, they are incredibly convenient. They don’t require any washing and take up relatively minimal space compared to reusable cups. During busy times, you don’t have to worry about having enough cups washed and ready to go – you will have a ready supply of disposable cups so that you can keep selling your drinks.
Low Cost
Disposable cups are also far less expensive than reusable cups. Depending on the type of cup that you purchase, they may cost less than 10 cents per cup – complete with custom branding. You also don’t have any labor or resource costs to keep them clean. These cups aren’t prone to breakage, so you won’t have to worry about making another large expenditure to replace broken cups and glasses.
Recyclable
Many disposable cups can also be recycled. For example, our plastic cups are made from PET and/or PP plastic, which are widely accepted for recycling. We also offer fully compostable cups. The fact that both disposable paper and plastic cups can be recycled makes them a far more green option than many people may assume.
Cost-Effective Advertising
Disposable cups also offer an excellent branding opportunity. Unlike reusable cups, which stay in your restaurant, customers walk around with disposable cups – whether they are shopping, going to work or to school, or simply taking a stroll. Custom printing for disposable cups costs pennies on the dollar, making it a cost-effective way to advertise your business.
More Hygienic
Disposable cups are also more hygienic and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Each customer gets their own cup without any need to wash anything or make sure that the cups are clean. As noted above, this can significantly cut down on labor and resource expenses.
Cons Of Disposable Cups
Single Use
Of course, there are downsides to disposable cups. Even though they are generally recyclable, some people perceive them to be less environmentally-friendly. They do generate more waste given that each cup is thrown away after a single use. However, given the wide availability of recycling, it is possible for these cups to be reused in another way.
Recurring Inventory Expense
Disposable cups are also an ongoing cost. While they require a lower initial investment compared to reusable cups, they are something that you will have to factor into your budget moving forward. Of course, they are still relatively inexpensive – even with custom printing – which makes them a smart business decision, particularly in light of the marketing opportunities.
Which Type of Cup Is Right for Your Business?
Ultimately, the decision between reusable and disposable cups will largely come down to the characteristics of your restaurant. For example, if you operate a fine dining establishment, then you almost certainly won’t be using disposable cups – as customers will expect to be served drinks in the proper glassware. By contrast, if you run a takeout joint, then it only makes sense to offer disposable cups.
Some of the factors that go into the choice to buy reusable or disposable cups may include:
- Storage space: do you have the room to store a supply of reusable cups?
- Commercial dishwasher: do you have the necessary appliances to properly clean and sanitize reusable cups?
- Labor costs: how much do you pay your staff? Is it worth the extra cost for them to have to collect and clean reusable cups?
- Business Model: do you mostly serve customers drinks to be consumed in your store or for them to drink elsewhere? Do you offer a large variety of drinks for sale?
- Marketing strategy: do you want your customers to essentially serve as walking advertisements for your business?
- Budget: do you have the money for a higher initial investment in reusable cups?
There are many good reasons to choose either type of cup. It all comes down to what is right for your business.
Get High Quality Disposable Cups from Disposable Design
If you have made the decision to buy disposable cups, then Disposable Design can help deliver the cups you need. We sell the highest quality plastic and paper disposable cups, all of which can be custom printed with your business’ name and logo. As an American-owned small business ourselves, we understand the importance of getting a great quality product – which is why we only sell premium cups and other disposable products.
Based in Michigan, Disposable Design works with businesses to provide them with the custom-branded products that they need at great prices. Using custom disposable cups can be a green choice that helps you expand your marketing reach while still being a budget-conscious choice. If you need custom paper cups, custom plastic cups, custom coffee sleeves, custom napkins, or another product, we can help. To learn more about our products or to speak to a member of our branding team, fill out our online contact form or hit the live chat button at the bottom of the screen.
