What are the best plastic cups for takeout iced coffee?

In recent years, iced coffee has experienced a massive surge in popularity. Particularly favored by younger generations, iced coffee is prepared either by cold brewing or by traditional hot brewing followed by serving over ice or with cold milk.

While easy to serve in-house, a challenge arises with takeaway orders. Unlike hot drinks like Americanos or Flat Whites, iced coffee performs significantly better in plastic cups than in paper ones. However, with growing concerns over single-use plastics, using non-recyclable materials has become unjustifiable for modern coffee shops.

Is there a viable, sustainable alternative? Read on to find out.

What is Iced Coffee?

While the concept has existed for decades, its popularity has only recently skyrocketed. Not to be confused with Cold Brew, iced coffee is typically a combination of espresso, milk, and ice. Some cafes add sweeteners, whipped cream, or even ice cream.

In Japanese “Kyoto-style” coffee, room-temperature water is dripped over coffee grounds for several hours and then diluted with ice. According to Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, “cold beverages” accounted for 74% of beverage sales in a recent fiscal quarter—a 10% increase over two years.

Data suggests this growth is driven by Millennials and Gen Z. Research firm Mintel found that 38% of consumers aged 18–24 drink iced coffee, compared to only 20% in other age groups. This shift is fueled by taste preferences and the visual influence of platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The Takeaway Dilemma

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, over 90% of coffee establishments were forced to close their seating areas at some point. This led to a surge in takeaway orders, which became a lifeline for business owners.

However, finding the right vessel for iced drinks proved difficult. The American chain Blue Bottle famously tried to ditch single-use plastic in favor of paper cups for iced drinks, only to find them incompatible. Paper acts like a sponge, absorbing condensation and compromising the cup’s structural integrity.

Additionally, lid design became an issue. Iced coffee drinkers prefer straws, but many paper cup lids featured small square openings that weren’t large enough for a straw without tearing the lid. This highlighted a universal dilemma: which takeaway cups are both eco-friendly and functional for cold drinks?

The Best Takeaway Solution: PET Cups

For many cafes, reducing environmental impact is now a top priority. While materials like Kraft paper and PLA are popular, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) remains the superior choice for iced coffee.

Identified by Resin Code #1, PET is:

• Durable & Economical: It holds its shape perfectly even with heavy ice.
• Moisture Resistant: Unlike paper, condensation forms on the outside of a PET cup rather than being absorbed into the material, maintaining structural integrity.
• Widely Recyclable: PET is the most recycled plastic in the world, making it a sustainable choice when disposed of correctly.
• Straw-Friendly: PET lids typically feature a central circular perforation designed specifically for straws.

Optimize Your Cold Drink Service with Optipak

Iced coffee is no longer just a summer treat; it is a year-round staple. To meet the demand for high-quality takeaway service, choosing the right container is essential.

At Optipak, we offer PET takeaway cups designed specifically for iced coffee. They are reliable, cost-effective, and 100% recyclable, ensuring minimal environmental impact from production to disposal.