Your Cart is Empty
When it comes to enjoying a beverage outdoors or in public spaces, there's no denying that reusable plastic drinkware is the answer. Traditional glassware simply isn't practical or safe and, if reducing waste is important to you, neither are single-use, red solo style cups.
Plastic drinkware certainly addresses the need for convenience and safety, but not all plastics are created equal. Moms and Dads, students, party and event organizers and venue operators who understand the differences can make better decisions for themselves, the environment and the health of their guests by mindfully considering product longevity and end-of-life recyclability.
The choices can be overwhelming, with products made from polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), PET, HDPE, SAN, acrylic and, more recently, Tritan™.
Tritan material was invented by American company Eastman in 2007 but is still relatively new to many consumers. If you’ve ever attended an event, visited a resort, or enjoyed a drink in a crystal-clear, unbreakable cup that could safely go through the dishwasher time and time again, there's a good chance it was made from Tritan.
How do you make an informed buying decision? Our materials comparison chart below highlights the differences between four leading drinkware plastics, drawing on more than a decade of drinkware industry experience and research conducted by Rowdy Crowd.
Don't automatically choose the cheapest option simply because it's convenient. Over the past decade, consumers and organizations alike have shown that convenience at the expense of the environment is not the future. People want better choices and better long-term outcomes.
Choose products that deliver the greatest environmental benefits. Avoid single-use and limited-use drinkware whenever possible. These products often look inferior, provide little long-term value and usually end up in landfill after only a handful of uses.
Make sure your drinkware is BPA-free (sometimes referred to as EA-free). Some plastics, including polycarbonate, can leach compounds that mimic hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, potentially affecting fertility, growth and overall well-being.
A truly durable product should be safe for use in any environment. It shouldn't crack, break or shatter, creating hazards for family members, guests or the public.
Choose drinkware built to last. A quality product should withstand repeated use while continuing to look and perform like new. Longevity not only reduces waste but also delivers greater value over time.
Today's focus should be on creating circular systems. Tritan material is recognised as a #7 recyclable plastic and can be repurposed into new plastic products, helping keep valuable materials in use for longer.
Plastic has been widely used in the food and beverage industry since the 1950s, when advances in manufacturing dramatically reduced production costs and enabled mass-market adoption. Polycarbonate and PET quickly became common materials for beverage containers and single-use packaging.
More recently, concerns have emerged regarding some of the chemicals used in certain plastics. Studies have linked BPA-containing plastics to hormone-disrupting activity that may impact growth, reproduction and overall health.
In 2007, Eastman Chemical Company developed Tritan™ copolyester to address concerns surrounding BPA-containing polycarbonate plastics.
Tritan is unlike anyother plastic material. It is BPA-free, resistant to stains, odors and lingering flavors, and maintains exceptional clarity over time.
Tritan can withstand repeated dishwashing, temperature changes and accidental drops while continuing to look like glass; consistently delivering the same combination of clarity, durability, safety and long-term performance.
Better still, Tritan is recyclable and designed for years of reuse, helping reduce the environmental impact of disposable products. Its durability and reusability are already helping keep millions of single-use cups out of landfills around the world.
Now that you know the difference, make your next drinkware choice a good one. Choose premium Tritan™ drinkware that looks like glass, lasts for years and helps keep single-use waste out of landfill. Now that's something worth raising a glass to.
