Reusable cups have become the norm at more and more events. Not just because of legislation, but also because visitors appreciate it when an event is set up sustainably. Still, switching to reusables often raises one key question: should you rent the cups, or is it better to buy your own?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on the type of event, how often it takes place, the available storage capacity and your budget. In this blog, we help you make a well-informed decision.
One-off event with a limited budget
Are you organizing a one-time event, such as a village fair, a pop-up food festival or a municipal celebration? In that case, renting is often the most logical option. You don’t need to store or clean the cups yourself, and you only pay for what you need for that edition. It’s a low-threshold way to work with reusable cups without requiring a major upfront investment.
Benefits of renting:
• No investment in your own stock
• No concerns about cleaning or storage
• Ideal for irregular or one-time events
Recurring event or permanent location
Do you organize multiple events per year, or work at a location with frequent visitors, such as a city park, sports club, cultural venue or festival site? Then owning your own cup supply may be more attractive. By using cups multiple times, your cost per use goes down. You can also customize your cups with your own logo or branding, which helps increase visibility and reinforce your identity.
Benefits of owning cups:
• Lower costs in the long term
• Custom branding possible
• Always available during peak moments or last-minute events
A combination is also possible
More and more organizers choose a hybrid model. They invest in a basic stock of commonly used cup sizes for standard moments, and rent additional cups or specific formats like pitchers or wine cups during peak moments or for larger events. This keeps your investment manageable and gives you maximum flexibility.
Whether you rent or buy, Rubbish Reusables always provides an impact report. This shows how much CO2 and waste has been saved by using reusable cups. It’s not only useful for your own evaluation, but also for reporting to municipalities, licensing authorities or partners who value sustainability.
Still unsure whether renting or owning is the best fit? Or would you like to explore how a combination might work for your event? We are happy to help you assess your options based on your event calendar, audience size and location.
Contact us at or schedule a non-binding consultation.
