Choosing the Right Polymer
Sustainability in product design begins with material selection. For reusable event cups, the material must balance three opposing requirements: it must be durable enough to survive hundreds of uses, safe enough to prevent injury in crowded environments, and recyclable enough to have a viable end-of-life solution. Our material of choice is Polypropylene (PP).
Technical Advantages of PP
Polypropylene is widely regarded in the engineering sector as the optimal material for reusable drinkware. We utilise it for several critical reasons:
- Thermal Stability: PP has a high melting point, which is essential for hygiene. It can withstand the high temperatures of commercial dishwashers (typically 60°C - 80°C) without warping or degrading. Lower grade plastics can distort under heat, rendering them useless after just a few washes.
- Impact Resistance: Unlike acrylics which can be brittle, or glass which shatters, PP has a degree of elasticity. If dropped in a stadium environment, it bounces rather than breaks. This makes it a safer choice for crowds where broken shards present a genuine hazard.
- Chemical Resistance: It remains stable when exposed to alcohol and acidic soft drinks, ensuring no leaching or taste transfer occurs, maintaining the integrity of the beverage.
Recyclability and Circularity
A key factor in our use of PP is its established recycling profile. It is a widely traded commodity in the recycling market, meaning the infrastructure to process it already exists.
| Material | Durability Profile | Recycling Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP) | High (Multi-use) | Standard Rigid Plastics (Widely Accepted) |
| Polystyrene (PS) | Brittle (Single-use) | Difficult / Limited Infrastructure |
| PLA (Bioplastic) | Low Thermal limit | Industrial Composting (Specific conditions required) |
Closing the Loop
Because our cups are made from a single material (mono-material construction), they are simpler to recycle than multi-layer laminates (like paper cups lined with plastic). At the end of their long service life, PP cups can be granulated, melted down, and reformed into new industrial plastic products. This capability is central to the circular economy model, ensuring the material stays in use and out of landfill.
