Many of the paper cups currently offered in cafes are designed with a double-wall, essentially two nested cups. Compared to a single-wall cup or a single-wall cup with a sleeve, double-wall cups offer a smooth surface perfect for printing, protect your hands from excessive heat, and are visually appealing for social media.
May I suggest the modest paper sleeve? In a study conducted by Starbucks in 1999, most customers reported that environmental friendliness was one of the top three criteria for judging disposable cups. Your customers likely share this concern.
For your consideration:
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Customers perceive single-wall cups with sleeves as more environmentally friendly than double-wall cups. The sleeve is recyclable, while the cup is mostly not due to the plastic liner. In fact, 99% of coffee cups are not recycled.
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Manufacturing a single-wall cup with a sleeve uses 45% less energy than a double-wall cup. Sleeves are made from recycled paperboard, and the double-wall cup uses more material than a single-wall cup with a sleeve.
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You might argue that printing on both the sleeve and the cup, as well as transporting them, uses more energy. However, 90% of the energy used in producing a paper cup is consumed during the manufacturing of raw materials.
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Lastly, the single-wall cup with a sleeve is less expensive than a double-wall cup. Additionally, many customers don't use a sleeve at all when given the option, reducing waste and costs.
We've recently printed some attractive designs. Here's one of my favourites, made for Fox & Oak in British Columbia.
