Disposable vs Recyclable Coffee Cups: What’s the Difference?

Let’s be real: we love an easy task. But this type of thinking can put us into autopilot, and we may forget to question if we could be making improvements to better ourselves, our business and brand, or even our planet.

The good news is that noissue is here to help you identify what changes you could be making - at least when it comes to coffee cups! We value the convenience of disposable coffee cups as much as your customers do while equally recognizing the importance of low-impact packaging that doesn’t compromise your brand’s unique image.

Here, we break down the different types of custom disposable coffee cups at noissue, as well as clarify what disposable really means - and could mean - with the right cups and actions after your customers have had that final sip of caffeinated goodness.

What are disposable coffee cups?

Broadly, disposable coffee cups are single-use plastic or paper cups. Disposable cups for hot beverages and iced drinks are a popular choice with companies and consumers alike because of their ease of use and vast availability.

Step into any café or service station, or even take a stroll in the park on a sunny Saturday morning, and you’re bound to see a plethora of disposable coffee cups. But from a brand perspective, are they identifiable?

What are recyclable coffee cups?

Recyclable coffee cups are single-use coffee cups made with materials designed specifically for reducing landfill waste. While recyclable kraft paper hot cups likely spring to mind first, cups made from FDA-approved PET plastic can be recycled, too. Remember, recyclable coffee cups sit under the umbrella of disposable, but the opposite is not always true.

The intersection between disposability and sustainability

Despite being appreciated for their convenience, disposable cups have earned negative connotations, particularly in recent years. But it’s important to know that although behaviours around disposable coffee cups can be harsh on the environment, the product itself certainly doesn’t have to be harmful. That’s where we come in!

At noissue, we’re on a mission to make sustainable cups, lids and sleeves accessible to the hospitality industry, from cafes and restaurants to event caterers and food trucks. We provide a variety of disposable coffee cups with lids that are triply beneficial: disposable, customizable and sustainable.

Suitable for hot beverages like coffee, hot chocolate, and tea, our disposable paper cups include single wall and double wall options. If you’re looking for disposable iced coffee cups or disposable smoothie cups, our PET plastic Recyclable Cold Cups, U-Shaped Cold Cups are the perfect choice. These plastic and kraft paper cups can easily be paired with compatible lids, ensuring you serve your drinks in style. Best of all? With a quick rinse, customers can recycle our cups right at home.

Disposable paper cups and plastic for composting

It’s not always easy to get a disposable cup in the right condition for recycling. Our compostable coffee cups are the perfect alternative for hassle-free disposal. Just as with our recyclable plastic and paper hot cup range, we offer a variety of quality options that you can customize.

Choose Single Wall Aqueous Coffee Cups and Double-Wall Aqueous Coffee Cups, ideal for serving up warm beverages like hot chocolate and tea. Or pick our Compostable Cold Cups, which provide the perfect vessel for iced coffee and beer. Note that while PLA plastic cups with lids must be composted at commercial composting facilities, aqueous kraft paper coffee cups are home-compostable and recyclable— ensuring your customers can dispose of their hot cups without harming the environment.

Customizing your plastic and paper coffee cups

Our disposable coffee cups with lids are eco-friendly, but what about your brand? Do you have to opt for cookie-cutter cups with uninspiring, plain beige or white colors that ignore the personality you’ve crafted for your cafe or restaurant in the name of sustainability? Absolutely not!

noissue’s plastic and paper coffee cups with lids are 100% customizable. We can print eye-catching designs, logos, brand names, colors, and even cheeky messages, all chosen by you to make your cup’s single life as memorable as possible. There may be a few connotations tied to disposable, but at noissue, boring certainly isn’t one of them.

Need inspiration for your custom paper coffee cups or plastic cold cups? Check out our blog for cup design details from real brands that use noissue for that extra special touch.

Stock up on cups with lids

Hospitality and hecticness go hand in hand, so it pays to stay prepared. The last thing you want on a Saturday morning is to realize you’re low on coffee cups. Our speedy lead times are designed with you and your business in mind. Place an order at our online store and enjoy fast, free delivery in a matter of weeks. Your customers will never have to know that their warm beverages were on the line.

Order custom-made coffee cups at noissue

Serve up tea, hot chocolate, half-strength vanilla oat milk matcha lattes and whatever else your customers desire with noissue’s quality custom coffee cups. All customizable, all disposable, all gentle on the planet. How easy is that?

When your customers forget their reusable cups, keep them covered with a sustainable disposable cup that they will remember. Buy, drink, recycle or compost, repeat.

Learn how to design the perfect disposable paper hot cup for your brand, or explore our full range of recyclable and compostable food service products.