Summer in Ireland means one thing for cafés and coffee shops: cold drink orders through the roof. Iced lattes, smoothies, cold brew, fresh juices, the queue for cold drinks can stretch out the door from June through August.
But if you're still serving those drinks in single-use plastic cups, you might want to rethink. Not just because of the environmental impact, but because Irish and EU legislation is moving fast away from single-use plastics. And your customers are too.
Here's everything you need to know about switching to compostable cold cups, and why this summer is the perfect time to make the move.
What makes a cold cup 'compostable'?
Not all eco-sounding packaging is created equal. A cup labelled 'biodegradable' might still take decades to break down in the environment, and it might not be accepted in Irish food waste bins at all.
A genuinely compostable cold cup is made from plant-based materials (like PLA, derived from corn starch) and is certified to break down into nutrient-rich compost in an industrial composting facility – usually within 90 days.
The certification to look for in Ireland is the EN13432 standard and/or Cré Certification – the Irish scheme that confirms a product is accepted in food waste bins across the country. All Down2Earth cold cups carry both.
What sizes do you need?
The right size depends on what you're serving. Here's a quick guide:
- 9oz – ideal for iced americanos, cold brews, and juices
- 12oz – the go-to for standard iced lattes and smoothies
- 16oz – popular for larger cold drinks, meal deal pairings or protein shakes
- 20oz – for the big summer drinks: large iced coffees, large smoothies, frozen drinks
Our Earthpak Cold Cup is available in all four sizes and comes with matching compostable lids and straws – so your whole setup is consistent and sustainable.
What about lids and straws?
A compostable cup paired with a plastic lid or straw rather defeats the purpose. The good news is compostable alternatives exist for both – and they're far better than they used to be.
At Down2Earth, our cold cup lids are made from rPLA (recycled PLA) and our straws are paper – both certified compostable and designed to work seamlessly with our cup range. No soggy straws, no wobbly lids.
Will customers notice the difference?
Honestly? In the best possible way. Compostable cold cups look great – clear, crisp and professional. The iconic Earthpak range has the same visual appeal as a standard PET cup but with a fraction of the environmental footprint.
And increasingly, customers are actively choosing businesses that use sustainable packaging. A quick 'our cups are fully compostable' mention at the counter or on your social media is a simple way to turn a packaging choice into a brand talking point.
Ready to make the switch?
Browse our full cold cup range – including the Earthpak Cold Cup, compostable lids and paper straws on our Down2Earth website. Not sure which sizes or quantities are right for you? Get in touch with our team at sales@down2earthmaterials.ie – we're happy to help you figure it out.
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