Plastic vs Paper vs Styrofoam

Using clear plastic cups has its advantage and disadvantages when it comes to its materials, availability and convenience. It is also a matter of preference for some people because they keep some old practices or was influenced by friends, latest news and developments.

• Price. Price is the first issue for every gathering. Plastic is the cheapest when compared to paper or Styrofoam. It is also cheaper with colored plastic cups because of the less materials needed to make them. The price ratio for Styrofoam would be $25/ 1000 pieces.  Paper cups is $80/1000. Plastic is only $11/1000.
• Insulation. Styrofoam is a much better insulator than plastic. Clear plastic cups with lids would not even go near the quality of insulation that a Styrofoam cup would offer.  Paper cups are also preferred than plastic cups.

• Wear and tear. They are the easiest to be disposed and very easy to tear. This can be a concern when you have children around. On the same note, when Styrofoam and paper are torn, they can also pose a significant choking factor for the little ones.
• Environmental impact. Clearly, paper cups have the edge, however clear plastic cups are recyclable. Styrofoam on the other hand is non biodegradable which means they will take a permanent place in the landfills.

Colored vs Clear Paper Cups

Clear plastic tea cups are cheaper than colored plastic cups. Their insulation capabilities are also almost the same. So why would anyone consider choosing a clear to a colored plastic cup? The first factor that you see with clear cups is the amount of visibility. Parents would rater choose clear plastic cups to colored ones because they wanted to know what is it that their kids are drinking is. It is also easy to know if one needs a refill or not by a single glance because of its transparency. In taking samples, small clear plastic cups are also preferred to make sure that there are no foreign objects present when they take it. Colored plastic cups are sturdier due to the additional layer which forms a better and thicker structure. Generally, plastic cups are the most durable and cheapest wares ideal for huge occasions that care less about formalities.

The use of clear plastic cups has its practical reasons. 5 oz clear plastic cups are a common item to see in public places. It is a top choice for people in small-scale food industry like food carts, small stalls, mobile food and even fast-food chain businesses today. The fact that they are disposable are advantageous to any business owner where he can have the customer responsible for the disposal or clean-up.