What are PET Cups?

Whether you’re a consumer or a food and beverage business owner, you have definitely been around PET cups. Most cold drinks are served in these translucent cups, especially at bubble tea shops and cafes. If you were to inspect these clear cups, you’ll find it most likely says PET on the bottom.

PET cups are a type of eco-friendly cups found all over the globe made from recycled PET plastic. They’re used at most food and beverage businesses and are resilient to damage. These recyclable and resistant cups offer a disposable option without the negative environmental impact other packaging cups may cause.

What is PET?

PET is shortened for polyethylene terephthalate. It’s a clear, strong, lightweight plastic and is used as a packaging choice for the food and beverage industry. Polyethylene terephthalate is also what water bottles, soda bottles, and plastic cups are made up of. This form of plastic is made up of recyclable material intended to decrease the amount of waste in landfills.

This multipurposed plastic is safe and approved by the FDA and health-safety agencies throughout the world. Over the last 60 years, polyethylene terephthalate has become one of the world's most widely used, versatile and trusted materials. Due to PET’s distinctive properties, it’s swiftly becoming the preferred packaging alternative for foods and beverages all over the world.

How are PET Cups Made?

According to the PET Resin Association (PETRA), polyethylene terephthalate is made when ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are combined together, forming pellets. The resin pellets then get heated and can be easily molded into any shape. PETRA also states that when the resin pellets are reheated into a liquid, the polymer chains can be stretched in up to two directions.

When the polymer is rapidly cooled while it’s stretched, the chains become frozen with their orientation intact and once set in stretched form, the material is extremely tough. If PET is held at an elevated temperature in the stretched form, it will slowly crystallize and start to become opaque, more rigid, and less flexible.

Are PET Plastic Cups Recyclable?

PET plastic cups are completely recyclable. It has a positive environmental impact because the light weight and strength of PET allows more product to be delivered with less packaging weight and less fuel than most other container materials. PET is also energy-efficient and sustainable and is the most recycled plastic worldwide.

Polyethylene terephthalate cold cups are labeled with a resin number 1 and is accepted by most recycling programs. It’s also BPA free, meaning every consumer can have a peace of mind knowing this plastic is free of harmful chemicals when enjoying their refreshing beverages.

Bottom Line

Our PET cold cups are manufactured in USA and made with up to 30-50% recycled material. We have various sizes and shapes to suit all your beverage needs. Our polyethylene terephthalate cups are also durable with high clarity and perfect for just about any cold beverage from iced tea to smoothies. These crack-resistant and sturdy cups can also be re-recycled after using, making them eco-friendly. PET plastic cups are a great option for any business because consumers will be able to dispose and recycle without guilt of harming the environment.

Shop our PET clear cups here.