At Rubbish Reusables, we stand for sustainability and reusable solutions that help businesses operate more efficiently. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is about the difference between hardcups and softcups. Both options have their own advantages and areas of application. In this blog, we explain what these differences are and how they are used.
Hardcups are reusable cups made from durable materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene or stainless steel. They are designed for long-term use and can be washed many times without significant wear. Thanks to their sturdiness, they are less likely to break and help keep drinks hot or cold for longer.
Events and hospitality venues often use hardcups within deposit systems to reduce waste. Visitors pay a deposit and can return the cup later.
Although hardcups are generally more sustainable, they also come with drawbacks. They require more storage space, have a higher initial cost, and must be managed effectively from a logistical standpoint to remain efficient.
Softcups are disposable cups typically made from lightweight plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP). They are light, flexible, and easy to stack, which makes storage and transport more efficient. Softcups are mainly used as single-use cups at events, festivals, and hospitality venues where speed and convenience are key.
Although softcups are cheaper to purchase than hardcups, they also have disadvantages. They wear out quickly, cannot or can hardly be reused, and generate a lot of waste. As a result, they are becoming less attractive in a time when sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives are becoming the norm. The European SUP legislation has a major impact here, as softcups are considered single-use plastics and fall under stricter regulations.
The European Single-Use Plastics (SUP) legislation, introduced in 2021, has a significant influence on the choice between hardcups and softcups. The aim of the law is to reduce plastic waste by restricting single-use plastics, such as softcups. Businesses are encouraged to switch to reusable alternatives like hardcups, which meet the SUP guidelines for long-term use. Softcups fall under stricter rules and may even be banned or subject to additional charges in some regions.
The legislation also promotes the use of deposit systems, which are well-suited to hardcups. This not only helps companies comply with the law but also supports a circular economy, in which cups are reused multiple times rather than thrown away.
The exact tipping point at which a hardcup becomes more environmentally friendly than a softcup depends on several factors. Consider how often the cup is used before being washed, how and where it is cleaned, and whether it is recycled or incinerated at the end of its life. It also matters whether cups are rinsed in between uses or professionally cleaned after every use. The actual environmental benefit therefore strongly depends on usage and logistical processes.
To give an indication of the emissions, you’ll find below a table with CO₂ emission figures sourced from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).
At Rubbish Reusables, we offer high-quality and sustainable solutions tailored to diverse business needs. Would you like to learn more about our reusable cups and how they can help your business become more sustainable? Please get in touch with us and explore the possibilities!
Om toch een indicatie te geven van de uitstoot, vind je hieronder een tabel met CO₂-uitstootcijfers afkomstig van DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).
Bij Rubbish Reusables bieden we hoogwaardige en duurzame oplossingen die passen bij diverse bedrijfsbehoeften. Wil je meer weten over onze herbruikbare bekers en hoe ze jouw bedrijf kunnen helpen verduurzamen? Neem dan contact met ons op en ontdek de mogelijkheden!
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