PET vs RPET Cold Cups: What to Use Instead in Australia
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PET and RPET cold cups are both clear plastic: PET is made from new plastic, and RPET is the same plastic made from recycled material. Packery does not stock PET or RPET cups. Our cold cups are aqueous-coated paper and bamboo fibre with a BioPBS coating, and we sell clear PET lids that go on top.
Key takeaways
- PET and RPET look and work much the same. The difference is where the plastic comes from, not how the cup performs.
- PLA is a different, plant-based plastic that is also used for clear cups. It is not the same material as PET or RPET.
- Packery's cold cups are paper: aqueous-coated paper cups from 12oz to 24oz, and bamboo-fibre cups with a BioPBS coating.
- Our clear lids are PET, sold in cartons of 1000, along with flat and dome lids made from sugarcane.
- Every product is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and the price per item.
What is the difference between PET and RPET cups?
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, rigid plastic made from new raw material, and it is the usual choice for see-through iced coffee, smoothie and bubble tea cups. RPET is PET that has been collected, cleaned and reprocessed, so the cup is made partly or wholly from recycled plastic.
To customers the two look almost the same. Both show the drink and both take a dome or flat lid. When people choose between them, they are usually choosing based on where the material came from and what they want their packaging to say about the business.
Where does PLA fit in?
PLA is a clear plastic made from plant starches rather than from oil. A clear PLA cup looks very similar to a PET cup, but it is a different material.
If your goal is to move away from clear plastic cups altogether, a paper cold cup is the other common option. That is the range Packery carries.
What cold cups does Packery stock instead?
We stock two kinds of cold cup: aqueous-coated paper cups and bamboo-fibre cups with a BioPBS coating. The paper cups come in 12oz, 16oz, 22oz and 24oz, each in its own colour, and the bamboo-fibre cups come in brown.
Here is the cup range with prices exactly as listed:
| Product | Size / material | Carton qty |
|---|---|---|
| 12oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 1000) | 12oz, Paper + Aqueous Coated, Pink | 1000 |
| 16oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 1000) | 16oz, Paper + Aqueous Coated, Orange | 1000 |
| 22oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 1000) | 22oz, Paper + Aqueous Coated, Green | 1000 |
| 24oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 500) | 24oz, Paper + Aqueous Coated, Blue | 500 |
| 16oz Bamboo Cold Cups – BioPBS Coated (Carton of 1000) | 16oz, Bamboo Fibre + BioPBS Coated, Brown | 1000 |
| 5oz Cold Cups – BIOPBS Coated Ice-cream (Carton of 1000) | 5oz, Bamboo Fibre + BioPBS Coated, Brown | 1000 |
| 8oz Cold Cups – BIOPBS Coated Ice-cream (Carton of 1000) | 8oz, Bamboo Fibre + BioPBS Coated, Brown | 1000 |
You can see the full range, lids included, on the cold cups page.
Do you sell clear lids for cold cups?
Yes. Our clear lids are PET, sold in cartons of 1000, in flat and dome styles. Lids are listed by the cup sizes or diameter they are made for, so match the lid to your cup before you order.
| Product | Size / material | Carton qty |
|---|---|---|
| 6oz PET Cold Cups – Dome Lid 78mm for 8oz (Carton of 1000) | 78mm dome for 6oz and 8oz cups, PET, Clear | 1000 |
| 84mm PET Cold Cups – Dome Lid w Die Cut Hole 10-12oz (Carton of 1000) | Dome with die-cut hole for 10oz and 12oz cups, PET, Clear | 1000 |
| 16oz PET Packaging – Flat Cold Cup Lid 20oz 22oz (Carton of 1000) | Flat lid for 16oz, 20oz and 22oz cups, PET, Clear | 1000 |
| 16oz PET Packaging – Dome Cold Cup Lid 20oz 22oz (Carton of 1000) | Dome lid for 16oz, 20oz and 22oz cups, PET, Clear | 1000 |
| 90mm PET Cold Cups – Dome Lid w Hole fits PET425 (Carton of 1000) | 90mm dome with hole, PET, Clear | 1000 |
If you would rather not use a plastic lid, we also sell 90mm lids made from sugarcane, in white or natural, as a dome lid or a flat lid. The 90mm Bagasse Cold Cups – White Lid Dome Lid (Carton of 1000) is $89.82 per carton, or $0.09 each.
Which one should I buy?
Choose based on the drink, the cup size you sell most, and how you want the cup to look.
- Cafés serving iced coffee and iced tea: the 12oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 1000) at $0.12 each is the smallest aqueous-coated cold cup in the range. For a clear lid, the 84mm PET Cold Cups – Dome Lid w Die Cut Hole 10-12oz (Carton of 1000) is listed for 10oz and 12oz cups; check that its 84mm size matches your cup's rim before ordering, or contact us to confirm.
- Juice bars and smoothie shops: the 16oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 1000) at $0.13 each is a standard middle size. For a clear lid, the 16oz PET Packaging – Dome Cold Cup Lid 20oz 22oz (Carton of 1000) is listed for 16oz, 20oz and 22oz cups; confirm the fit with your cup's rim before ordering a full carton.
- Large takeaway drinks and frappés: the 24oz Aqueous Coated Cold Cups (Carton of 500) at $0.18 each is the largest cup we list, and it comes in a smaller carton of 500.
- Venues that want a natural, brown look: the 16oz Bamboo Cold Cups – BioPBS Coated (Carton of 1000) is brown bamboo fibre with a BioPBS coating, at $0.15 each. It is also one of our products that can be custom printed with your logo (see custom print).
- Gelato shops and dessert bars: the 8oz Cold Cups – BIOPBS Coated Ice-cream (Carton of 1000) at $0.09 each, or the 5oz version for smaller serves.
If you are comparing the cost of paper against plastic before you switch, our post on the cost of switching to plant-based packaging sets out per-item prices. For bulk buying across the whole cold cup range, see wholesale cold cups and lids.
How does ordering work?
There is no minimum order. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days to regional areas. All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). If you already know your cup and lid sizes, use quick order to add cartons in one step.
Setting up or restocking your packaging?
Send us your list for a trade quote, or price it yourself in the cost calculator.
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