Types of Reusable Plastic Cups

Tritan™ plastic is a trademarked copolyester material (strong, clear plastic) that is manufactured by the Eastman Chemical Company. One of the key benefits of Tritan™ plastic drinkware is its exceptional strength. This material is often referred to as shatter-proof, or virtually unbreakable, making it ideal for high-traffic environments such as restaurants, bars, and catering events. With Tritan™ plastic, you can say goodbye to the worry of breakage or cracking, providing a reliable solution for serving drinks to your customers.

Tritan™ cups have the look and feel of glass, providing a premium presentation for your beverages. This clarity not only enhances the visual appeal of your drinks but also allows customers to see the contents clearly, making Tritan™ cups ideal for showcasing colorful cocktails, smoothies, and other beverages. While Tritan™ plastic is considered one of the safest and highest quality plastics, it's also the most expensive.

• Types of Drinkware: Tumblers, cocktail glasses, wine glasses, beer glasses, shot glasses, mason jars
• Benefits of Tritan™ Plastic: Dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, shatter-proof, stain-resistant
• BPA-Free? Yes

SAN plastic (styrene-acrylonitrile) is a sturdy and impact-resistant material that is often used to make reusable drinkware such as cups, tumblers, and pitchers. Its high clarity gives it a glass-like appearance, making it an attractive choice for serving beverages in bars, restaurants, and catering events. SAN plastic drinkware is also lightweight and easy to handle, making it a practical option for busy foodservice environments. A standout feature of SAN plastic is that it holds up well to repeated use in a commercial dishwasher, thanks to heat- and chemical-resistant properties.

In comparison to Tritan™ plastic, SAN plastic is more affordable, making it a cost-effective option for businesses on a budget. While Tritan™ plastic is known for its exceptional durability and resistance to cracking and breaking, SAN plastic offers a balance of durability and affordability that makes it a popular choice for commercial use.

• Types of Drinkware: Tumblers, cocktail glasses, wine glasses, beer glasses, shot glasses
• Benefits of San Plastic: Economical, great clarity, heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe, durable
• BPA-Free? Yes

Polycarbonate is another type of clear plastic with excellent durability. Drinkware made from polycarbonate is exceptionally strong and offers greater impact-resistance compared to SAN plastic. This makes is a smart choice for applications where you expect glasses to be dropped, like children's parties or outdoor events. Polycarbonate cups also have exceptional clarity, which makes them suitable for environments where the aesthetic of your tabletop items is a priority. 

While polycarbonate cups offer durability when it comes to impacts or dropping, they are not as resistant to surface scratches. Polycarbonate can also be affected by crazing, which looks like many fine-lines or cracks throughout the material. Crazing occurs due to the high temperatures and chemical exposure of commercial dishwashing.

• Types of Drinkware: Tumblers, cocktail glasses, wine glasses, beer glasses, shot glasses, mason jars
• Benefits of Polycarbonate: Great clarity, impact-resistant, shatter-proof, chip-resistant
• BPA-Free? No